Mark Schuler: Benjamin Banneker

Artist: Mark Schuler
1951 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 10 by 13 inches
Overall Size: 20.625 by 22.75 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

Benjamin Banneker was born in Ellicott, Maryland, of poor, but free, parents. He attended a neighborhood school until he was old enough to help his parents run their small farm. Lacking further formal education, Banneker pursued a program of self-education which continued throughout his life. A skilled mathematician and astronomer, Banneker taught himself how to calculate movements of the earth and stars and accurately predicted a solar eclipse in 1789. In 1792, Banneker prepared an informational almanac which was published by Goddard & Angell of Baltimore. He sent a handwritten copy to Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, with a letter calling for the abolition of slavery and the eradication of "absurd and false ideas and opinions which so generally prevail" concerning blacks. Jefferson was so impressed, he sent the almanac to the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris as evidence of the abilities and intelligence of black people. At Jefferson's suggestion, President George Washington appointed Banneker as the first black ever named to a Presidential Commission. In this capacity, he helped plan and survey the nation's capital in Washington, D.C. Sometimes called the "Black Poor Richard," Banneker's career did much to further the cause of American black people. He was, in the words of James McHenry, John Adams' Secretary of War, "fresh proof that the powers of the mind are disconnected with the color of the skin."

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 15¢ Benjamin Banneker stamp issued February 15, 1980.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06040

US$ Price: $1,000.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-443-4225 from throughout U.S. and Canada.