The Unsung Mathematical Genius of Thomas Fuller: A Legacy Forgotten
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Thomas Fuller
Have you ever heard of the remarkable "Virginia Calculator"? I am referring to Thomas Fuller, an exceptional mathematical prodigy from Virginia. Over 230 years have passed since his extraordinary abilities challenged societal beliefs about race and intellect during the 18th century.
Fuller, who was born in Africa and captured at the tender age of fourteen, possessed the ability to perform complex arithmetic calculations despite lacking formal education. Astonishingly, he could neither read nor write, yet his aptitude for counting and logical reasoning far surpassed many educated contemporaries. Regrettably, much of his remarkable life story and skills have faded into obscurity.
Section 1.1: The Mystery of Fuller's Origins
As previously mentioned, Thomas Fuller was born in Africa, yet the specific location remains unknown. Some speculate he hailed from an area that now encompasses parts of Liberia and Benin. The details of his childhood and adolescence are equally elusive. In 1724, he was forcefully taken from his homeland and brought to America to serve as a slave for Elizabeth Cox in Alexandria, Virginia.
Interestingly, ethnomathematics researcher Ron Eglash has suggested that Fuller might have been of Bassari descent. This hypothesis connects Fuller’s remarkable abilities to the mathematical traditions of the Bassari people, who had trained individuals to serve as "mathematical calculators" before the adverse effects of colonization disrupted their culture.
Section 1.2: Exceptional Mathematical Skills
Fuller's mathematical prowess was nothing short of extraordinary. At around 70 years of age, he was evaluated by members of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. The results were astounding. When asked how many seconds are in one and a half years, he responded with “47,304,000” in just about two minutes.
To verify this, I performed the calculation myself:
He was correct. Additionally, he estimated the total number of seconds in 70 years, 17 days, and 12 hours, providing the accurate figure of 2,210,500,800 in just under a minute and a half—even noting an examiner’s oversight about leap years with remarkable patience.
Chapter 2: Fuller's Impact on the Abolitionist Movement
This video discusses how Thomas Fuller’s mathematical feats challenged racial stereotypes and contributed to the abolitionist movement.
Gossip about Fuller's mathematical achievements spread quickly, reaching as far as France and Germany, becoming a powerful asset in the fight against slavery. His talents helped to dismantle the stereotype of Black individuals as intellectually inferior, which had long been used to justify the institution of slavery. French revolutionaries Jacques Pierre Brissot and Henri Grégoire cited Fuller as an example in their advocacy for equal rights for Black people, with Brissot stating, “It is enough to cite these examples to be certain that a negro can do everything if he is instructed and freed.”
Section 2.1: The Tragic Reality of His Enslavement
Despite his fame, Fuller remained enslaved until his death. Elizabeth Cox rejected multiple offers to sell him, and Fuller expressed gratitude towards her for not doing so. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the brutal realities of slavery, highlighting how even an exceptionally talented individual was bound by chains.
Section 2.2: A Unique Perspective on Education
Surprisingly, Fuller regarded his lack of formal education as beneficial. When it was pointed out that he had never attended school, he replied, “No, Massa, it is best I had no learning, for many learned men be great fools.” This statement encapsulates the tragedy of lost opportunities due to slavery. If one individual could demonstrate such profound insight, how many other brilliant minds were similarly stifled?
This video delves into the remarkable life of Thomas Fuller and his challenge to Einstein's theories through the lens of his mathematical genius.
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