George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver, most referred to the “Peanut Man” was born into

slavery around 1864 in Diamond, Missouri. His birth date is not known for sure because

birth records were not properly kept by the slave owners. As a child, he was very sick and

no one ever thought that he would grow to be one of the most distinguished agriculturists

in America.

Unfortunately, George never got to know his parents. His father was killed in an

accident and his mother was kidnapped by night raiders. So, George was raised by his

owners; Moses and Susan Carver. They treated George and his brother Jim as their own

sons. As a child, George had exceptional observational skills and a keen curiosity. His

love for nature and animals was beyond his age. Moses and Susan tried very hard to

satisfy his needs. But, they realized that he needed to go to a regular school. Since colored

children were not allowed in the schools for white children, George had to leave the town

and go to Neosho, Missouri to attend school. Later he moved to Fort Scott, Kansas to

attend High school.

School was full of hardships and struggle for George. Since he never had enough

money to pay his fees, he often had to drop out temporarily to earn and then enroll again.

During this period he worked many odd jobs as a housekeeper, cook, gardener, and

launder. He did every job with devotion and tried to achieve perfection. Thus he gained

recognition everywhere he went. After finishing high school, he applied to Highland

University and was accepted until the college later learned that he was black and therefore

refused his entrance. Finally, at the age of thirty, Carver was finally accepted to Simpson

College in Iowa. After a year there, he left to attend the Iowa Agricultural College where

he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1894, and his Masters Degree in 1896.

George was the first black American to graduate from this college.

Carver was offered a number of jobs because of his wonderful work ethic, but he

accepted the invitation of Booker T. Washington to teach at the Tuskegee Institute, where

he accepted a position as an instructor at the Tuskegee Institute of Technology.

At Tuskegee, Carver developed his famous crop rotation method. Nitrate

producing legumes like peanuts and sweet potatoes were planted during alternate years.

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