A biography of eighteenth-century African-American farmer, surveyor, mathematician, and astronomer Benjamin Banneker, who is best known for being the first African-American to publish an almanac and for surveying the area that would become the nation's capital.

Banneker's bold declaration -- An exceptional family -- The gifted child -- Doing difficult work -- A change in the valley -- A new energy for life -- An important task -- Almanac maker -- Banneker's last years.