George Washington Carver example essay topic

George Washington Carver, most referred to the "Peanut Man" was born into slavery around 1864 in Diamond, Missouri. His birth date is not known for sure because birth records were not properly kept by the slave owners. As a child, he was very sick and no one ever thought that he would grow to be one of the most distinguished agriculturists in America. Unfortunately, George never got to know his parents. His father was killed in an accident and his mother was kidnapped by night raiders. So, George was raised by his owners; Moses and Susan Carver.

They treated George and his brother Jim as their own sons. As a child, George had exceptional observational skills and a keen curiosity. His love for nature and animals was beyond his age. Moses and Susan tried very hard to satisfy his needs. But, they realized that he needed to go to a regular school. Since colored children were not allowed in the schools for white children, George had to leave the town and go to Neosho, Missouri to attend school.

Later he moved to Fort Scott, Kansas to attend High school. School was full of hardships and struggle for George. Since he never had enough money to pay his fees, he often had to drop out temporarily to earn and then enroll again. During this period he worked many odd jobs as a housekeeper, cook, gardener, and launder.

He did every job with devotion and tried to achieve perfection. Thus he gained recognition everywhere he went. After finishing high school, he applied to Highland University and was accepted until the college later learned that he was black and therefore refused his entrance. Finally, at the age of thirty, Carver was finally accepted to Simpson College in Iowa. After a year there, he left to attend the Iowa Agricultural College where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1894, and his Masters Degree in 1896. George was the first black American to graduate from this college.

Carver was offered a number of jobs because of his wonderful work ethic, but he accepted the invitation of Booker T. Washington to teach at the Tuskegee Institute, where he accepted a position as an instructor at the Tuskegee Institute of Technology. At Tuskegee, Carver developed his famous crop rotation method. Nitrate producing legumes like peanuts and sweet potatoes were planted during alternate years. The peanuts and potatoes put nutrients back in the soil that had been taken away when cotton grew from the soil. His crop rotation method was huge success. But, what were the farmers going to do with all the peanuts?

People did not know any other use of it except to eat it raw or boiled. Carver worked day and night to make various products from peanuts & sweet potatoes. He invented such uses as peanut butter, shampoo, milk, soaps, dyes and cheese from peanuts. From sweet potatoes, Carver invented products like starch, vinegar, ink and molasses.

In total, Carver invented more than 300 products from peanuts, more than 100 products from sweet potatoes and many more from other plants native to the South. Thus is why George is most commonly known as the "Peanut Man". George Washington Carver was one of the most distinguished African American scientist. Even though he was faced with many obstacles, he always found away to reach over and beyond to complete his goal. Next time you eat some bread with peanut butter or wash your hands in peanut soap, just remember George Washington Carver.

Bibliography

Adair, Gene. George Washington Carver. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1989.
Carver, George Washington,' Microsoft (R) Encarta (R) Online Encyclopedia 2000 web (c) 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation.
All rights reserved Hennessey and Skroback. "Peanuts: you " ll go nuts over these smooth and crunchy tidbits" Vol. 29, Ranger Rick, 1995.