George Washington Carver (January 1864 – January 5, 1943), was an
American scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor. The exact day and
year of his birth are unknown; he is believed to have been born before
slavery was abolished in Missouri in January 1864.
Much of Carver's fame is based on his research into and
promotion
of crops as alternatives to cotton, such as peanuts and sweet potatoes.
He wanted poor farmers to grow alternative crops both as a source of
their own food and as a source of other products to improve their
quality of life. The most popular of his 44 practical bulletins for
farmers contained 105 food
recipes
that used peanuts. He also created or disseminated[clarification
needed] about 100 products made from peanuts that were useful for the
house and farm, including cosmetics, dyes, paints, plastics, gasoline,
and nitroglycerin.
