George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver was an American scientist, teacher, and researcher who worked mainly with plants and farming. He was born around 1864, during the time of the American Civil War. His exact birth date is not known. He was born into slavery in Missouri, in the United States. When he was a baby, he and his family were taken away by slave raiders. He was later returned, but his parents were never found. After slavery ended, George was raised by Moses and Susan Carver, who had owned his parents. They taught him to read and write at home because local schools did not allow Black children.

As a child, Carver showed great interest in nature. He liked to collect plants, rocks, and insects. People in his area called him the “plant doctor” because he helped neighbors keep their gardens healthy. When he was older, he left home to attend school. This was difficult because many schools did not accept Black students. He moved from place to place to study. He later attended Simpson College in Iowa, where he studied art and music. A teacher noticed his skill in drawing plants and suggested he study agriculture. He then moved to Iowa State Agricultural College, where he became the first Black student and later the first Black teacher at the school.

George Washington Carver became well known for his work in agriculture. Agriculture is the science of growing crops and raising animals for food and materials. In 1896, he was invited to teach at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The school was led by Booker T. Washington. Carver worked there for many years. He studied how farming affected the soil. Soil is the top layer of land where plants grow. He noticed that growing cotton over and over made the soil weak. Cotton uses many nutrients from the soil, especially nitrogen.

To help farmers, Carver suggested growing other crops to restore the soil. This practice is called crop rotation. Crop rotation means changing the type of crop grown in a field each season. He encouraged farmers to grow peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. These plants add nutrients back into the soil. Carver also found many new uses for these crops. He created products made from peanuts, such as dyes, paints, oils, and soaps. He did not invent peanut butter, but he studied many ways peanuts could be used.

Carver spent much of his life helping poor farmers in the southern United States. Many farmers struggled after the Civil War. Carver wrote simple guides and gave lessons to explain farming ideas in clear language. He traveled to farms and spoke directly with people. He believed that science should be shared in ways that were easy to understand. Although he was offered high-paying jobs, he chose to stay at Tuskegee Institute and continue his work there.

George Washington Carver died in 1943. After his death, he was honored in many ways. A national monument was built in his name in Missouri. His work changed how farming was done in many places. He is remembered as a scientist who studied plants carefully and shared his knowledge widely. His life story is often told as part of American history, science, and agriculture.