George Washington Carver was born into slavery in Diamond, Missouri, around 1864. As an infant, he, his mother, and his sister were kidnapped by night raiders. His owner, a farmer named Moses Carver, hired an agent to find them. The agent only found the sickly infant George. Moses Carver traded a racehorse, valued at about $300, to get the boy back. His mother and sister were never seen again. After the abolition of slavery, George was raised by his former owners. Because his health was poor, he was spared heavy field work. Instead, he spent his time in the gardens, developing a deep curiosity about plants that would define his future and change American agriculture forever.
George Washington Carver and the Peanut
How a scientist born into slavery revolutionized Southern agriculture by promoting alternative crops like peanuts and sweet potatoes.
Chapter 1
The Ransomed Child
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did George Washington Carver really invent peanut butter?
No, he did not. While Carver developed over 300 uses for peanuts, modern peanut butter was patented by others before his work began. A form of peanut paste was even used by the Aztecs centuries earlier.
Why did Carver want farmers to plant peanuts?
Carver promoted peanuts to restore soil depleted by years of cotton farming. Peanuts are legumes that naturally replenish nitrogen in the soil, making it fertile again. This also gave poor farmers a new source of food and income.
What is the George Washington Carver National Monument?
It is the first national monument in the United States dedicated to an African American. Established in 1943 at his birthplace in Diamond, Missouri, it honors his life and legacy as a scientist and innovator.
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