George Washington Carver

Born - in 1865? near Diamond, Mo.

Died - on Jan. 5, 1943, at Tuskegee Institute

Early Life

George was born into slavery under the ownership of Moses and Susan Carver. At a young age he was kidnapped along with his mother from the farm. He was returned to the Carvers, but his mother was not and then raised by the Carvers. He was a sickly child so he helped Susan in the house with domestic tasks. He also tended the garden and became fascinated with plants.

Missouri Connection

George was born and raised in Missouri. He attended an elementary school in Neosho, Mo., and boarded with an African American couple, Andrew and Mariah Watkins.

Claim to Fame

George Washington Carver triumphed over a life of slavery to achieve international fame as a scientist, botanist and educator. Through intensive research, he developed more than 300 by-products from the peanut and sweet potato. He is also known for his work in the fields of soil fertilization and crop diversification.

Later Life

Carver lived a simple and industrious life. A skilled artist and musician who never married, Carver lived out his life in a dormitory at Tuskegee Institute while conducting agricultural research and teaching students. Though he was offered positions at many other laboratories, Carver always declined, preferring to continue his work among his own race at Tuskegee.

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