He Primarily Worked As A Farmer His Entire Life

The Patapsco River valley in rural Baltimore County was home to the 100-acre tobacco farm owned by the Banneker family. Benjamin lived almost his entire life and was reared here. As soon as he was old enough, he began assisting the family with farm work. Despite his reputation for academic prowess, Benjamin spent the majority of his life working as a farmer.

Banneker's early years were spent cultivating tobacco on his parents' 100-acre farm close to the banks of the Patapsco River with his family, which also included three sisters. His grandmother had taught him to read and write when he was little using a Bible she had imported from England, but his sole official education consisted of a few weeks or so spent attending a nearby Quaker one-room school.

In addition to becoming a voracious reader and mastering mathematics, Benjamin also became a voracious book borrower. He took pleasure in creating mathematical puzzles and deciphering those that others presented to him.