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Dr. George Washington Carver: Scientist
Describes the life and accomplishments of the former slave who became a scientist and devoted his career to helping the South improve its agriculture
Paperback
First published January 1, 1944
About the author
Shirley Graham du Bois
39 books23 followersOne of six children, and the only daughter among them, of an African Methodist Episcopal minister. She moved around often, graduating from Lewis and Clark HS in Spokane, WA in 1915, studied music composition at the Sorbonne in Paris in the 1920s and received her BA at Oberlin College in the 1930s. She had two husbands, including author and activist W.E.B. du Bois. She and du Bois emigrated to Ghana in the 1960s but, after his death, a military coup forced her to move to Cairo, Egypt. In addition to her literature, she also composed a number of musical scores including an opera that premiered in Cleveland, OH, attracting 10,000 people on its opening night.
Married to W.E.B. Du Bois
Married to W.E.B. Du Bois
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 7, 2025
I found this book for free a few years ago and wasn't sure I was going to read it. I tried one other time, but knew I wasn't in the mood for a biography. Finally, I came upon it again and since I've been getting rid of books recently, I decided I should read it or give it away. I'm glad I read it.
First, it's just unbelievably fascinating to see how this young child prospered through incredibly hard times in his youth. Despite all the hardship and tragedy, he still managed to find the right people to help guide him along in his education at a time when a young freed slave wasn't even allowed an education in most places.
Second, I didn't know much about Carver before this book, but it was a pretty incredible story. And while I think the book does kind of inflate some of his achievements to a bit of incredulity (supposedly he helped the lame to walk), it's still a pretty wild and amazing story.
More importantly, I think it's a very inspirational story, especially at a time when we're again burning books (though have we ever really stopped?) A young boy overcomes adversity to become a great man. Truly inspirational.
Lastly, this book is very much of its time. Written shortly after Carver's death, it mentions one of his paintings in France and how the author hopes it will be freed soon -- because at the time of writing, France is under Nazi occupation. It definitely looks at Carver with rose colored glasses, but for what it is, I found it thoroughly enjoyable.
First, it's just unbelievably fascinating to see how this young child prospered through incredibly hard times in his youth. Despite all the hardship and tragedy, he still managed to find the right people to help guide him along in his education at a time when a young freed slave wasn't even allowed an education in most places.
Second, I didn't know much about Carver before this book, but it was a pretty incredible story. And while I think the book does kind of inflate some of his achievements to a bit of incredulity (supposedly he helped the lame to walk), it's still a pretty wild and amazing story.
More importantly, I think it's a very inspirational story, especially at a time when we're again burning books (though have we ever really stopped?) A young boy overcomes adversity to become a great man. Truly inspirational.
Lastly, this book is very much of its time. Written shortly after Carver's death, it mentions one of his paintings in France and how the author hopes it will be freed soon -- because at the time of writing, France is under Nazi occupation. It definitely looks at Carver with rose colored glasses, but for what it is, I found it thoroughly enjoyable.
March 21, 2023
Written in 1944, this book told the story of an amazing man: George Washington Carver. He was born into slavery, raised by German immigrants for 10 years after his mother was stolen and took responsibility for himself at age 10 to get an education. I learned so much from his story, his love of nature and incredible accomplishments that helped the United States in so many ways. He not only invented peanut butter but 100s of different uses for peanuts, including peanut oil that he rubbed into children's paralyzed legs. He cured over 250 cases of child paralysis, some completely! He made 1000s of advances in farming including rotating crops (his idea) and sweet potato flour that fed Americans overseas in WW1 and taught the country how to survive and medicate themselves by using the world around them.
This story was part history and part story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This story was part history and part story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2019
Amazing story. Hard to believe how much Carver accomplished and how many new ideas he had. It wasn't all about peanuts either; he seemed to do well at whatever he put his hand to.
"He was a sojourner in the world of men. Material things would have weighed him down. He was poised lightly on this earth, his wings untrammeled by earthly concerns."
"He was a sojourner in the world of men. Material things would have weighed him down. He was poised lightly on this earth, his wings untrammeled by earthly concerns."
October 7, 2018
Kids and adults should all read this. Dr. Carver was one of the most important Americans that ever lived. His of pursuit of knowledge and love of the Lord was unparalleled. I plan on taking my family and students to visit Tuskegee to honor him.
June 28, 2018
preread for Ambleside Online year 5.
January 8, 2019
It was really 4 1/2 stars. About 90% of the book was fantastic! The last 10% kind of fell off of the track. I learned a vast amount about him and this inspired me to go learn more.
March 2, 2021
Wonderful biography
May 25, 2022
This is our favorite book for the school year.
Dr. Carver was an amazing person, and Shirley Graham Du Bois tells his story in a way that makes it come alive.
Dr. Carver was an amazing person, and Shirley Graham Du Bois tells his story in a way that makes it come alive.
October 13, 2025
I love autobiographies about underdogs. What an interesting and intelligent man he was.
June 20, 2014
I recommend this book for children and adults alike. It was published in 1944, and written by an African-American woman. Just reading her bio on the back of the jacket was a pretty inspiring thing. It was significant to me to know about her as I read the stories that she told about Dr. Carver to have some insight into what mattered to her. She uses terms that are archaic to us today --- and perhaps offensive to some today, and that was a history lesson in itself to me to understand the times and the person.
This is really just a good old-fashioned, very readable biography, probably written for school-age children. I love this kind of story telling that puts you in the time and place and makes it come alive --- for it was a real place and a real time populated with real human beings.
My son and I read this one together as part of his schooling this year. We read 3 scientists' biographies each year. This is my favorite way to do it. A real story and not a mere lengthy encyclopedia entry with just the facts.
This is really just a good old-fashioned, very readable biography, probably written for school-age children. I love this kind of story telling that puts you in the time and place and makes it come alive --- for it was a real place and a real time populated with real human beings.
My son and I read this one together as part of his schooling this year. We read 3 scientists' biographies each year. This is my favorite way to do it. A real story and not a mere lengthy encyclopedia entry with just the facts.
March 26, 2009
I was redirected to look at the problems caused by the emacipation proclamation. The sudden freeing of slaves left thousands of children, many parentless, without means of support. This was a fantastic book describing the life of one of those children who managed to acquire a college education and contribute so much to American science especially in the area of chemistry and food production in the poor rural south.
July 31, 2014
Great book about a great man!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews