In 1724, at the age of 14, was called in 1724 at the age of 14, was called the "Virginia Calculator" for his remarkable ability to solve difficult math problems within his head.
There was a rumor the idea that he could be a genius because he was unable to write or read, however this was not unusual for slaves of the day. There was speculation that he could have acquired his expertise in math while in his native country of Africa.
His story was frequently cited by abolitionists in the era to prove that Blacks weren't inferior in terms of intellect to whites. Born to Africa somewhere between the present-day Liberia to Benin,
Fuller was enslaved and then shipped across the Atlantic to America in 1724, at the age of fourteen. His masters owned 16 slaves and seemed to appreciate Fuller the most. He expressed his gratitude that he was not sold.
The stories of his accomplishments were numerous. The skills he displayed were even used to prove that slaves were not enslaved. Blacks were just as intelligent as whites in terms of intelligence, which led to a pro-abolitionist debate. After hearing about the abilities of Fuller certain men rushed to his services. They asked him two questions that attracted their attention.
The first time they asked him what number of minutes there are in one year and a half He replied in just two minutes, 47,304,000.Then, when they asked how long a man has lived to be 70 years old, 17 day and twelve hours, he replied in just a minute and a half , 2,210,500,800.
One of the guys was working out the issues on paper when he was told by Fuller that he was not right since the correct answer was much less. Fuller immediately responded, "'Top, massa, you forget de leap year." After that leap year is tacked into the equation, the numbers coincided.
Even with his perfect answers, it was apparent that his cognitive abilities might have been higher in the past.
They wrote:
He was gray-headed and displayed other indications of weakness due to age. He worked hard on an agricultural farm for the entirety of his life, yet he had never had a problem with the use of liquors that were spirituous.
He was gray-headed and displayed other indications of weakness due to age. He worked hard on an agricultural farm for the entirety of his life, yet he had never had a problem with the use of liquors that were spirituous.
He was extremely respectful of his lady love and spoke of in particular terms what he had to do for her in not allowing her to let him go, which she was enticed to with offers of huge amounts of money from various individuals.
One gentleman named Coates. Coates, having remarked at his table the fact that it's a shame his education was not comparable to his genius He replied "No, Massa, it is best I had no learning, for many learned men be great fools."
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