Benjamin Banneker was born a freeman in a time when African Americans were still enslaved. This statement is true as Banneker was born free on November 9, 1731, in Maryland. He was of African descent and was known for his accomplishments as a self-taught mathematician, astronomer, and inventor. Banneker is well-regarded for his work in surveying and his contribution to the design and layout of Washington, D.C.
While Benjamin Franklin is credited with inventing bifocals, Benjamin Banneker was not the inventor of bifocals. He was not primarily known as an engineer, although he did possess engineering skills and applied them in his various projects. Additionally, Banneker did not own a newspaper; he focused more on scientific and mathematical pursuits during his lifetime.
