George Washington Carver Biography | Agricultural Scientist

George Washington Carver

Born: Spring, 1865
Died: January 5, 1943
Place of Birth: Diamond Grove, Missouri

Major Notes:

George Carver was born into slavery and became famous through his knowledge of plant life.
Before he was born, Carver's father died in an accident.
When he was just an infant, his mother, Carver, and his brother James were kidnapped.
Moses Carver, a white man, eventually bought George and became his guardian.
As a youth, George could not physically do heavy work, so he applied himself in gardening.
Carver loved working with plants and he became known as the local "plant doctor."
Young George went to school for several years with his brother who then left early to become a house painter.
Carver continued his education graduating from high school and then decided to become an artist.
He tried to enter the Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts but was refused because he was black.
In 1890, Carver became the first black student to gain admission at Simpson College in Iowa.
He was studying art and music but it was apparent George Carver had talent for horticulture.
With help from his instructor, Etta Budd, he successfully transferred to Iowa State and became its first black student.
By 1896, George Carver had become a student leader at college and attained his Master's degree.
After graduation, he became a faculty member at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
At Tuskegee, Carver was to go on with an extensive study of plants and soils.
He is given credit with finding over 300 product uses for the peanut and 100 products from the sweet potato.
George Carver gave his entire estate over to Tuskegee when he died.

For detailed research and more information, check out any of the following: Iowa State University George Washington Carver Africa Within Indiana University Christian History Institute HyperHistory.net

BACK HOME PAGE

George Carver was born into slavery and became famous through his knowledge of plant life.

Before he was born, Carver's father died in an accident.

When he was just an infant, his mother, Carver, and his brother James were kidnapped.

Moses Carver, a white man, eventually bought George and became his guardian.

As a youth, George could not physically do heavy work, so he applied himself in gardening.

Carver loved working with plants and he became known as the local "plant doctor."

Young George went to school for several years with his brother who then left early to become a house painter.

Carver continued his education graduating from high school and then decided to become an artist.

He tried to enter the Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts but was refused because he was black.

In 1890, Carver became the first black student to gain admission at Simpson College in Iowa.

He was studying art and music but it was apparent George Carver had talent for horticulture.

With help from his instructor, Etta Budd, he successfully transferred to Iowa State and became its first black student.

By 1896, George Carver had become a student leader at college and attained his Master's degree.

After graduation, he became a faculty member at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

At Tuskegee, Carver was to go on with an extensive study of plants and soils.

He is given credit with finding over 300 product uses for the peanut and 100 products from the sweet potato.

George Carver gave his entire estate over to Tuskegee when he died.