George Washington Carver

George "Broc" Washington Carver

Hi! My name is Broc. But today, you can call me George Washington Carver!

You may know me as the “Peanut Man” because of how useful I made the peanut!

I was born in Diamond Grove, Missouri in January of 1864 and passed on January 5th, 1943.

I have always been hungry for knowledge, even when I had to be homeschooled as a child, since black children were not allowed in the schools.

I later graduated from Minneapolis High School in Minneapolis, Kansas.

Having the same problem of not being accepted into schools because of my race. I had to travel to search for a college that would accept me.

In 1890, I began studying Arts and Music at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where I developed my painting and drawing skills by practicing with botanical samples. (plant samples)

In 1891, I was suggested to be the first Black Man to enter the Botany program at Iowa State University. After graduating with my Bachelor of Science Degree, I was again suggested to continue my education and pursue my Master’s Degree.

While at the Iowa Experiment Station, I was able to perfect my craft and make a name for myself as a “Brilliant Black Botanist”.

In 1896, Booker T. Washington (The Founder of the HBCU - Tuskegee University) hired me to run the schools Agricultural Department.

Teaching at Tuskegee University allowed me to advance black people by teaching them how to farm. This made them able to survive off of what they grew, and sell crops for money.

My teachings and expertise in agriculture spread world-wide as I was made a member of the British Royal Society of Arts in 1916!

I even gave advice to prominent figures like President Theodore Roosevelt and Mahatma Gandhi along my global speaking tours.

I invented hundreds of products from crops.

From Sweet Potatoes, I invented molasses, postage stamp glue, flour, vinegar, and synthetic rubber.

Even though I am the “Peanut Man”, I did not invent Peanut Butter.

From peanuts, I invented milk, plastics, paints, dyes, cosmetics, medicinal oils, soap, ink, and wood stains.

Before I passed away, I established the “George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center” in Austin, Texas, which was devoted to my work.

I also established the George Washington Carver Foundation at Tuskegee University to support future agricultural research.

There is a National Park and Monument for me in Diamond, Missouri. This was the first national monument dedicated to an African American.

There are many schools around the US named after me.

Today, I am George Washington Carver! And so are you!