Free George Washington Carver Essay Sample

From a slave to an African American agricultural scientist and inventor, George Washington Carver helped revolutionize Southern agriculture. He is mainly remembered for his work with peanuts, which causes people to overlook his journey throughout life. His time was spent creating inventions and solutions for the common good. His work made history, not only in agriculture, but also for African Americans. Despite the setbacks Carver was faced with throughout his life, he persevered through childhood and major events to become the well known agricultural scientist he is now. 

George Washington Carver’s life began with disastrous situations. In the mid-1800s in Diamond Grove, Missouri, Carver entered the world as a slave. His owners, Susan and Moses, had no interest in separating the family, but the mother was kidnapped by raiders ("George Washington Carver" Encyclopedia par 2). Forced to part from their mother, Carver and his brother, James, were taken in by Susan and Moses. They cared for the boys as if they were their own. Susan taught Carver as much as she could, but she was never able to fulfill his longing for a proper education (Vella 8). He began attending high school and quickly surpassed the level of education high school could offer. He submitted applications for colleges and was accepted to study piano and art at Simpson College. He later transferred to Iowa State after perceiving a career in science could be groundbreaking for African Americans. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree in 1894, and a master of science degree two years later ("George Washington Carver" Britannica par 3). He excelled in college and formed bonds with the community at Iowa. As his education was coming to an end, a realm of new opportunities and events followed. 

Carver's life was filled with many milestones that not only affected him, but also the world around him. After college, Iowa State desperately wanted him to stay and teach there, but he was flooded with many other job opportunities. He made a decision when he received a rather strange offer from Booker T. Washington to work at Tuskegee Institute. Along with teaching, he also took the roles of Tuskegee's veterinarian and landscaper (Vella 81-82). He performed his duties there while exceeding expectations. Even when he wasn't working, it seemed as though he never stopped experimenting. His main focuses were sweet potatoes and nuts, which he created over 300 new products from ("George Washington Carver" Encyclopedia par 2). He wanted to use his increased knowledge and products for the betterment of others. He spread his creations through presentations to the local community and bulletins full of information and ideas (Vella 104). As his work spread, he began receiving the recognition he deserved. Although his life was full of accomplishments, he was faced with many challenges as well. 

Carver was confronted with many difficulties starting at a young age. When others started attending school, he could not because the school near him did not accept African American students. Nevertheless, this was not enough to stop Carver. He walked miles everyday to attend a school in Neosho (Vella 23). These acts of racism didn't end after high school; they also occurred years later when he began applying for colleges. He was rejected because of his race by both Highland College and Iowa State (Vella 30). He was fully capable of succeeding in college beyond others expectations, but his knowledge was based on poor judgment relating to his skin color. Even when he was enrolled in college, he was absent often. He was responsible for his own education and spent many days working to pay for the tuition, rather than in class (Vella 23). He experienced poverty, yet continued to excel in school and formed bonds with the community. Even after everything he's been challenged with, he lived a life that made history. 

George Washington Carver's journey from a slave to a successful agricultural scientist incorporates the ups and downs of childhood, milestones, and challenges. Although Carver's family was absent most of his life, Susan and Moses raised him with love and opportunity. He persevered through twists and turns of poverty and racism trying to find his way through life. Yet he kept going and changed the lives of his community in addition to people in modern day. Carver's perseverance, loyalty, and devotion to work for the common good is truly inspiring. 

Works Cited

“George Washington Carver.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 23 Jun. 2021. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/George-Washington-Carver/20575. Accessed 8 Feb.2022

“George Washington Carver.” Encyclopedia of World Biography Online, Gale, 1998. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1631001193/UHIC&xid=b690e75c. Accessed 8 Feb. 2022. 

Vella, Christina. George Washington Carver: A Life. Louisiana State University Press, 2015.