George Washington Carver was mostly known for inventing peanut butter, but did you know that he invented over 300 uses for peanuts. Learn more with these George Washington Facts for Kids.
Who was George Washington Carver?
George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist. Agricultural scientists conduct research to improve farm crops and animals. Carver credited for inventing over 300 uses for peanuts.
Early Life
George Washington Carver was born in Diamond Grove Missouri on the Moses Carver plantation in 1864. His birth name was George Carver. He added Washington to his name later in life. His parents were slaves. His father died before he was born. His mother was sold to another plantation. He did not grow up with his parents. When George was 11 years old, he left home to attend an African American school. There was only one teacher, with 75 children in a small classroom. While other children played during recess, George studied. He studied at home before and after he did his chores. He was determined to make a better life for himself.
George did not feel he was getting the best education at the school he was at so he left and moved to Kansas. He moved around often and survived by using techniques he learned living on the plantation. George graduated from Minneapolis High School in Minneapolis Kansas.
College Years
When George Washington Carver was 30 years old, he was accepted into a college in Iowa. He later transferred to Iowa State Agricultural College where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science in 1894. He was the first African American to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science. In 1896 He received a Master’s of Science Degree in Agricultural Science.
After George graduated with a Mater’s Degree he received many job offers. He accepted a job offer from Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington worked with Tuskegee Institue in Alabama to open an agricultural school. George took the offer and work as head of the agricultural department until his death. George Carver added Washington to his name after Booker T. Washington.
George Washington Carver’s Work
Carver started studying diseases that were attacking the farmers’ crops. Most farmers in the deep south were only growing cotton. The soil started to suffer and crops weren’t as healthy. Carver urged the farmers to grow peanuts and sweet potatoes as he found they would restore the soil.
Crops of cotton were very profitable and farmers were worried that they would not make as much money growing peanuts and sweet potatoes. To help the farmers he started researching and discovering ways to use peanuts and sweet potatoes.
Carver discovered over 300 products that can be made with peanuts Some include: flour, ink, dyes, plastics, wood stains, soap, cosmetics. From sweet potatoes, he made 118 products some include flour, candy, vinegar, rubber, and postage stamp glue. He made 75 products from pecans and even made a building material for walls from cotton stalks. George Washington Carver died in 1943. He received many awards and honors for his agricultural contributions in history.
Death
George Washington Carver died from injuries from a fall on January 5th 1943. He was 78 years old. George Washington Carver was buried next to Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee University.
George Washington Carver Fun Facts
- George Washington Carver is often credited for inventing peanut butter, however, he did not invent peanut butter.
- He was the first African American to have a national monument decided to him. After his death, his childhood home was named a national monument.
- He was one of the most famous African Americans of his time.
- Carver was nicknamed the plant doctor.
- He tried helping patients with polio with peanut oil. Even though Carver reported that peanut oil helped sick patients. There was no actual scientific research that reported peanut oil helped polio patients.
- George Washington Carver was not a quitter. He had a very hard life growing up. He was born into slavery, kidnapped along with his mother and siblings as a young child, and sold. His original owner was able to find him and bring him back and raised him as his own. He did not grow up with either parent however he studied and worked hard and despite many obstacles was able to put himself through school and become one of the best inventors and scientists that ever lived.