George Washington Carver

 George Washington Carver was born enslaved to Mary and Giles, under the owner Moses Carver (of German or English descent), in Diamond Missouri. George’s father died in accident prior to him being born. The exact date of Carver’s birth is unknown like most slaves. The year was circa 1864. Carver and his family (mother and sister) were kidnapped by raiders from Arkansas. Moses hired John Bentley to find them, but they were only able to recover infant George. Moses and his wife raised George and his brother James as if they were their own children. They taught George how to read and write and encouraged him to continue his intellectual pursuits.    

Carver was not allowed to go to public school in Diamond, Missouri, so he walked 10 miles from his hometown. While attending school in a new town, he witnessed the murder of a black man by a group of white people and left the city. Carver relocated to Minneapolis, Kansas where he graduated Minneapolis High School. Although Carver was interested in science, he also enjoyed art. He decided to study art and music at Simpson College in Iowa. He frequently sketched and painted plants, which led his art teacher to suggest he attend Iowa State Agricultural College, (now Iowa State). He was the first black student to attend ISAC. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, his professors persuaded him to get his master’s, which he completed in 1896. Carver proved himself an intelligent botanist during his years studying at ISAC.

Following Carver’s education at Iowa State Agricultural College, Booker T. Washington extended an offer for him to teach at a Historically Black College, Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). There he developed the methods of crop rotation and alternative cash crops for farmers what heavily planted cotton.  This development helped the economy in the south, since slavery ended. Carver became well respected, so much so that President Theodore Roosevelt sought consultation on matters of agriculture throughout the U.S. Not only was he a national figure, but he also advised Mahatma Gandhi on agriculture and nutrition matters.

Not only was Carver a world-renowned botanist, but Carver was also an inventor. He found new uses for crops including peanuts, sweet potatoes, soybeans, and pecans. A few of Carver’s inventions from peanuts included milk, plastics, paints, dyes, cosmetics, medicinal oils, soap, ink, and wood stains. He also created inventions from sweet potatoes like, molasses, postage stamp glue, flour, vinegar, and synthetic rubber. He even created a type of gasoline.

Before they sum George W. Carver up as the “Peanut Man” know that he was much more. At a time when the south was dissolving economically, he helped provide a way to revitalize the soil and give agriculture a new life and purpose. Carver transitioned January 5, 1943, due to a bad fall down a flight of stairs. The fall left him unconscious and while in the hospital he had further complications which he succumbed to.

Thank you, George W. Carver for your contributions to the culture!