George Washington Carver (c. 1864 – 1943) was an American agricultural scientist, educator, and inventor, known for promoting crop rotation, soil conservation, and sustainable farming. His research into peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops improved farming in the southern U.S. and helped struggling farmers.
Born into slavery in Missouri, Carver was kidnapped as an infant but later returned to his former enslaver, who raised him after emancipation. Denied formal education due to segregation, he walked miles to attend a school for Black children and later became the first Black student at Iowa State University, earning degrees in agriculture and botany.
In 1896, Booker T. Washington invited him to Tuskegee Institute, where he taught for 47 years. Carver developed farming techniques to restore soil fertility, encouraging farmers to plant nitrogen-fixing crops like peanuts and sweet potatoes. He also introduced the Jesup wagon, a mobile classroom for rural farmers.
Although often credited with inventing peanut butter, Carver never patented his work, believing knowledge should benefit all. He gained national recognition, advising Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Ford, and Congress. He died in 1943, leaving a legacy in agriculture, science, and education.