George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was born in Diamond, MO, sometime before slavery was abolished in Missouri. Much of Dr. Carver's work was dedicated to research into and promotion of crops as alternatives to cotton, such as peanuts and sweet potatoes. His goal was to allow poor farmers to grow beneficial alternative crops. It is said that Dr. Carver made over 100 products from peanuts, including cosmetics, dyes, paints, plastics, gasoline, and nitroglycerin. Additionally, Dr. Carver strove for improved racial relations. In 1941, Time magazine dubbed him a "Black Leonardo" to acknowledge his scientific and humanitarian accomplishments. January 5, the anniversary of his death, is commemorated as George Washington Carver Recognition Day.
