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Birth
George Washington Carver was born into slavery on Moses Carver's farm in Missouri. His father died in an accident before he was born. Since he was born into slavery, accurate birth records were not kept. -
Kidnapped
As an infant, Carver and his mother were kidnapped by slave raiders and taken to Arkansas to be sold. Moses Carver was able to find George, but not his mother. -
Leaving Home for Education
After learning to read and write, Carver left his foster home to attend school. He was determined to get an education, despite facing racial barriers. He moved from town to town to find a school that would admit African Americans. Carver worked his way through school, eventually enrolling at Minneapolis High School -
First College Experience at Simpson College
Carver was one of the first African American students at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He initially studied art but later shifted to agriculture under the guidance of a professor who recognized his talent. He became the first African American to earn a degree from Simpson College in 1894. -
Enrolling at Iowa State Agricultural College
Carver earned a scholarship to study at Iowa State Agricultural College (now Iowa State University), where he became the first African American student and later the first African American faculty member.
He earned his Master's degree in agricultural science in 1896. -
Joining Tuskegee Institute
Carver was invited by Booker T. Washington to join the faculty at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He became the head of the agricultural department and worked there for the rest of his career.
He dedicated his life to improving agricultural practices for poor farmers in the South, particularly African Americans. -
Developing the Peanut Reveloution
Carver's most famous work was his promotion of alternative crops to cotton, particularly the peanut. He developed hundreds of products made from peanuts, such as peanut butter, soap, ink, cosmetics, and plastics.
His research helped to diversify Southern agriculture, which was heavily dependent on cotton and vulnerable to soil depletion. -
The Creation of the "Carver Method" for Crop Rotation
Carver promoted crop rotation as a way to improve soil fertility. He recommended planting peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other legumes that could restore nitrogen to the soil after cotton was harvested.His work helped to transform the agricultural practices of impoverished farmers, providing them with new opportunities to earn a living and improve their land. -
Peanut Products and the Agricultural Experiment Station
Carver’s promotion of peanuts led to the establishment of an Agricultural Experiment Station at Tuskegee, where he and his team developed over 300 products derived from peanuts.
He encouraged farmers to plant peanuts and other legumes in rotation with cotton to restore nutrients to the soil. -
Testifying Before Congress
Carver gained national recognition and was invited to testify before Congress in 1920 about the importance of crop diversification and the economic potential of peanuts. His work with the peanut and other crops helped make him an influential figure in the agricultural world.
He was also invited to meet with President Theodore Roosevelt and later President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was celebrated for his contributions to science and agriculture.