George Washington Carver
by JaQuena Johnson
Early Life
George Washington Carver was born in Diamond Grove, Missouri around 1864. He was born frail and sickly. He was unable to work in the fields so he had much free time to wander the woods collecting rocks and flowers. Carver soon developed a lifelong love for nature. Carver was soon known as the "Plant Doctor." At the age of 12, Carver left Diamond Grove to pursue an education. In 1890, he studied music and art at Simpson College.
Outstanding Career
Carver became the first African-American to enroll at what is today Iowa State University. Upon graduation he became the school's first African-American faculty member. In 1896, he received a request to become the Director of the Agriculture Dept. in Tuskegee. It was there that he started his own lab. In 1916, he published "How to grow the peanut an 105 ways of preparing it for human consumption." Dr. Carver and the peanut helped save the economy of the South.
Lasting Legacy
Dr. George Washington Carver died on January 5, 1943. He's buried on the TU campus. He's admired for his humanitarian efforts