Benjamin Banneker was one of the few notable figures in early American history who made significant contributions to science, astronomy, and mathematics. He was born on November 9, 1731, in Maryland to a free African-American family. Banneker had a total of five siblings.
His family played an essential role in his education and development. Despite the challenges of his time, Banneker managed to teach himself a great deal, which included mastering subjects that would allow him to make his future contributions. Notably, while he was the first in his family to pursue learning at such an advanced level, the support and influence of his siblings contributed to his upbringing in a nurturing environment.