Biography
George Washington Carver
Who Was George Washington Carver?
George Washington Carver and his brother, Jim Carver
George Washington Carver picking flowers, 1930
George Washington Carver was born on July 12, 1864, in Diamond Grove, Missouri. As a child, he loved music, art, and the natural world. He explored the woods in his neighborhood, collecting flowers to bring back to his garden.
In 1890, Carver attended Simpson College in Iowa, where he studied music and art. One year later, he transferred to State Agricultural College in nearby Ames, Iowa, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1894. Carver received his Masters of Science degree in 1896 and was soon appointed as the first African American faculty member at Iowa State Agricultural College (now Iowa State University).
In 1896, Carver became the Agriculture Director at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. He would spend nearly 47 years at the institution, teaching and mentoring students and conducting research and science experiments.
George Washington Carver’s Experiment Station
George Washington Carver at his experiment station at Tuskegee University
George Washington Carver in his laboratory, ca. 1930
When George Washington Carver first arrived at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, he used an old shack as a laboratory. He conducted experiments by using old bottles, containers, and other available items.
In addition to being the Agriculture Director, Carver also served as the Director of the Tuskegee Experiment Station, where he tested various soils and taught students the fundamentals of plant science.
Carver’s research from the Tuskegee Experiment Station was published into bulletins and sent to local farmers. The bulletins often included innovative farming methods that helped Black farmers produce rich soils leading to plentiful harvests. Carver believed that soil research and testing was essential for improving the economic conditions of Black farmers.
Anything will give up its secrets if you love it enough. Not only have I found that when I talk to the little flower or to the little peanut they will give up their secrets, but I have found that when I silently commune with people, they give up their secrets also—if you love them enough.
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver (second from right) teaching students in the Tuskegee chemistry lab, ca. 1902
Becoming the “Peanut Man”
George Washington Carver was called the “peanut man” for his discovery of the many uses of peanuts. When he arrived in Alabama, Carver noticed that cotton, the region’s cash crop, severely depleted the land. Cotton reduces the amount of nitrogen in the soil, a key element for healthy growth. While conducting research on alternatives to cotton crops, he uncovered the usefulness of peanuts and other soil-replenishing legumes.
Carver grew various peanut strains and went on to discover more than 300 uses of the peanut—from household products like laundry soap and face lotion to medical oils and laxatives. Carver’s success led well-known scientists and industrialists like Henry Ford to seek his insight for their own agricultural pursuits.
Featured Video
Carver at Work
This film features footage of George Washington Carver at Tuskegee University and in other settings.
George Washington Carver, the Artist
At Simpson College, Carver’s art teacher, Etta Budd, encouraged his interest in painting flowers and other plants. Carver continued to paint while studying agriculture and working as a scientist. During the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, he earned honorable mention for one of his artworks.
Carver’s many hobbies involved hands-on, creative activities like crocheting, embroidery, knitting, needlework, and basketry.
The Legacy of George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver, 1941
George Washington Carver overseeing the beautification of campus with a young man
From his first laboratory in an old shack to his well-maintained greenhouse to his experiment station filled with lab equipment, Carver found ways to utilize every resource to improve the lives of Black farmers, agriculturists, and students. His efforts continued with the 1940 establishment of Tuskegee’s George Washington Carver Foundation, created to support agricultural research and advancement. In 1941, the George Washington Carver Museum opened at Tuskegee, displaying scientific experiments, fiber arts, paintings, and crops produced by Carver.
George Washington Carver died on January 5, 1943. His impact on Tuskegee and the agricultural sciences continues, as do his guiding principles—a restless curiosity about the natural world, combined with a determination to improve that world for others.
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