George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver (1860-1943) – Professor Scientist of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Best known for his work with the peanut. George Washington Carver was born to a slave woman named Mary owned by his German foster parents Moses and Susan Carver. Since the Carvers did not have any natural children of their own, they raised George and his brother James after their mother was stolen by night riders during the Civil War.

George loved God's creation and had a way with plants and animals. He wanted to learn more about the mysteries of God's creation and left home at age 11 to get his education. Between 1873 and 1877, he attended the services at a African Methodist church in Neosho, MO. Later, around the year 1883, George joined a Presbyterian church in Minneapolis, Kansas. We know this because the Church Registry Roll book has been preserved.

George was talented in many areas. Not only was he good with plants, but he also loved music and art.

He wanted to attend college, but was denied admission to Highland University in Doniphan County, Kansas because he was black. He then tried farming in Kansas and soon afterward was accepted as an art major at Simpson College in Iowa, later transferring to the present Iowa State University and earning two degrees in Agriculture.

In 1896, Carver accepted an offer from Dr. Booker T. Washington to come to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama to teach. He could have become a rich man, but he freely shared his secrets. For example, he wrote a series of free Agricultural Bulletins for farmers that provided information on crops, cultivation techniques and recipes for nutritious meals.

After Carver died in 1943, Congress designated the Carver home in Diamond Grove, Missouri a National Park.

A Bit of Trivia:

1847 = The Missouri Legislature made it illegal to educate blacks. Also, the legislature prohibited slaves from gathering in any kind of assembly, barred any religious services that were led by a black minister (unless a white official was present), and flatly outlawed the immigration of free black people into the state.

More to Read:

1. George Washington Carver. By Henry Thomas. 1958.

2. George Washington Carver: From Slave to Scientist. By Janet & Geoff Benge.

3. George Washington Carver, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior tourist brochure

4. Missouri Legends: Famous People from the Show-Me State. John W. Brown. 2008.

5. Webster's Biographical Dictionary. G & C. Merriam, 1956.

6. George Washington Carver: Scientist and Inventor. By Judy Monroe.

7. George Washington Carver: Peanut Wizard. Laura Driscoll.

8. “George Washington Carver in Paola” By Joe Hursey. Miami County Historical Museum, Summer 2012 Edition. P. 6. 

9. "Negro Scientist, George Washington Carver" Official Manual "Blue Book," State of Missouri 1949-50. Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO. p. 24
10. Carver Birthplace Association website 
11. The Peanut Man
12. Find-a-Grave Memorial

Places to Visit in MO. & KS.:

1. George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Road, Diamond, MO.

2. Griot Museum of Black History & Culture, 2505 St. Louis Ave., St. Louis, MO.

3. See Carver's statue at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis, MO.

4. National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, 630 Hall of Fame Dr. Bonner Springs, KS.

5. Miami County Historical Museum, 12 E. Peoria, Paola, Ks.

6. Former Residence = 309 East Miami Street, Paola, KS.


Extras For the (Home) Educator:
1. Classroom Poster, (#T-38306) Trend Enterprises, IN. St. Paul, MN.
2. There are many resources at the US Department of Agriculture website such as the coloring book below. Put "George Washington Carver" into their search engine to see what's available.
2. USDA Honors Dr. George Washington Carver (1864-1943) Coloring & Activity Book. US Department of Agriculture.

3. Discovering with God. By Lois Dick. Child Evangelism Fellowship Press, Warrenton, MO., 1987. 
4. George Washington Carver's Kansas Trading Card! 

Historical Note: The Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute of Tuskegee, Ala., headed for many years by Booker T. Washington (1859-1915) was associated with the National Baptist Convention, USA.

Holiday:

"March is National Peanut Month."

George Washington Carver

By Elizabeth McKinnon.

George Washington Carver liked peanuts,

He thought they were really a treat.

He made many products from peanuts,

From peanuts that we love to eat!

Biography written by Dolores J. Rush. Updated: 10/27/2019.