George Washington Carver (1864-1943) was a Black American scientist who gained worldwide recognition for his agricultural research, particularly with peanuts. He developed over 300 peanut-based products, such as a milk substitute, face powder, printer’s ink, and soap. Carver also dedicated himself to advancing the interests of Black people and fostering better relationships between Black and white communities.
Early years
Carver was born into slavery on a farm near Diamond, Missouri. Soon after his birth, his father died in an accident, and his mother was kidnapped by night raiders. He was raised by his owners, Moses and Susan Carver, until slavery was abolished in 1865.
As a young boy, George had a strong fascination with plants and a deep eagerness to learn. The Carvers taught him how to read and write, and around the age of 11, he moved to Neosho, Missouri, to attend a school for Black children.
Over the next 20 years, Carver took on various jobs to support himself and fund his education. In 1890, he enrolled at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where he showed talent as a painter but ultimately chose to pursue agriculture. A year later, he transferred to Iowa State Agricultural College (now Iowa State University) in Ames, earning his bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1894 and his master’s degree in 1896.
Tuskegee instructor and researcher
In 1896, Carver moved to Alabama to join the faculty at the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), an industrial and agricultural school for Black students. He became head of the agricultural department and director of a state agricultural station. Initially, Carver continued his research on fungi, a subject he had specialized in while in Iowa. Over time, however, he shifted his focus to soil conservation and other methods to boost production. He also wrote and distributed pamphlets and bulletins on applied agriculture to farmers in Alabama and beyond. In addition, Carver worked to promote better farming practices among Southern farmers, especially Black farmers, through conferences, traveling exhibits, demonstrations, and public lectures.
In 1910, Carver became head of Tuskegee’s newly established Department of Research. By 1914, he turned his attention to studying peanuts. His big break came in 1921, when he testified before Congress about the many uses of peanuts, gaining national recognition. He went on to tour the country, promoting peanuts, and during the 1920s devoted much of his time to improving race relations. He was especially active with the Commission on Inter-Racial Cooperation and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).
Carver never married, and in 1940, he donated his entire life savings of $33,000 to the Tuskegee Institute to create the George Washington Carver Research Foundation for agricultural research.
Awards and honors
Carver received many awards for his accomplishments.
- In 1916, he was named a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of London.
- In 1923, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) awarded him the Spingarn Medal for distinguished service in agricultural chemistry.
- In 1939, Carver received the Theodore Roosevelt Medal for his valuable contributions to science.
- In 1951, the George Washington Carver National Monument was established on 210 acres (85 hectares) of the Missouri farm where Carver was born.
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