Blogged By: La Tray

Source & Photos: Biography

Facts & Bio: Biography

Posted: Wednesday February 8, 2012 @12:08 a.m. PST

Topic: Benjamin Banneker and Romare Bearden

Celebrating Black History Month On Benjamin Banneker and Romare Bearden

According to Biography: Fact #12 Scientist and mathematician Benjamin Banneker is credited with helping to design the blueprints for Washington, D.C.

Quick Facts

• NAME:Benjamin Banneker
• OCCUPATION:Astronomer
• BIRTH DATE:November 09, 1731
• DEATH DATE:October 25, 1806
• PLACE OF BIRTH: Ellicott’s Mills, Maryland

• PLACE OF DEATH: Baltimore, Maryland

Best Known For

Benjamin Banneker was a largely self-educated mathematician, astronomer, compiler of almanacs, inventor, and writer

Synopsis Bio:Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, in Ellicott’s Mills, Maryland. A free black who owned a farm near Baltimore, Banneker was largely self-educated in astronomy by watching the stars and in mathematics by reading borrowed textbooks. He became an active writer of almanacs and was appointed by President George Washington to the District of Columbia Commission.

According to Biography: Fact #13 Before he was a renowned artist, Romare Bearden was also a talented baseball player. He was recruited by the Philadelphia Athletics on the pretext that he would agree to pass as white. He turned down the offer, instead choosing to work on his art.

Quick Facts

• NAME: Romare Howard Bearden
• OCCUPATION:Illustrator, Painter
• BIRTH DATE:September 02, 1911
• DEATH DATE:March 12, 1988
• EDUCATION:New York University, Art Students League in New York City, Columbia University, Sorbonne

• PLACE OF BIRTH: Charlotte, North Carolina
• PLACE OF DEATH: New York City, New York

Best Known For

Romare Bearden is considered one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. He depicted aspects of black culture in a Cubist style.

Synopsis Bio: Romare Bearden is considered one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. Born in North Carolina, he landed in New York City and studied with George Grosz. His early paintings were realistic with religous themes. Later, his works depict aspects of family culture in a semiabstract collage and Cubist style. He was also a songwriter and designed sets for the Alvin Ailey Company.