Self-taught astronomer Benjamin Banneker sends Thomas Jefferson a letter and almanac challenging him to live up to the ideals of equality.
At a Glance
- Date
- 19 August 1791
- Location
- Maryland
- Key people
- Benjamin Banneker, Thomas Jefferson
- Category
- Science, Medicine & Invention
- Source
- Banneker-Jefferson correspondence (1791) · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It was a bold public confrontation of slavery's hypocrisy by a free Black scientist.
What It Means Now
Banneker's letter remains a landmark of early Black intellectual life.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Benjamin Banneker Writes to Thomas Jefferson.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/benjamin-banneker-writes-to-thomas-jefferson/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Benjamin Banneker Writes to Thomas Jefferson. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/benjamin-banneker-writes-to-thomas-jefferson/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Benjamin Banneker Writes to Thomas Jefferson.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/benjamin-banneker-writes-to-thomas-jefferson/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.