Benjamin Banneker was born in Ellicott's Mills (now Ellicott City), Baltimore County, Maryland. His grandmother, Molly Welsh, was a white indentured servant who married Bannaka, a formerly enslaved man, giving Benjamin a unique mixed-race heritage.

Banneker spent his early years working on his family's farm, developing a strong connection to nature and the land. This hands-on experience likely fostered his later interest in astronomy and natural observation.

Banneker received some formal education at a Quaker school near his home. He excelled in mathematics and showed a natural aptitude for learning, despite the limited educational opportunities available to him.

Banneker's formal schooling was brief, but he continued to educate himself through reading and observation. He borrowed books and developed skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. His family farm provided a rich environment for learning about nature and the world around him.