This detailed and engrossing biography of Benjamin Banneker sets out to celebrate his achievements and greatness as a mathematician and astronomer at a time when even basic literacy was denied to the mass of his fellow African Americans. It assesses the legacy of his famous letter to Jefferson asking how it was that slavery was allowed to exist in a nation that had championed the cause of freedom and equality in its overthrow of British colonialism. It uses many colour illustrations, maps and archive documents to create a full picture of his life and times.