Originally known as "Carver's George", George Washington Carver was born a slave and belonged to Moses Carver. He was born presumably between 1860-1864 on a farm at Diamond Grove, in the Missouri Ozarks. Kidnapped by slave raiders, "baby George"1 and his mother were kidnapped. She was sold, while "baby George" was ransomed by Moses Carver was abandoned on the road due to the whooping cough he had acquired. The man who Moses carver sent out to look for "baby George" and his mother found only George, and was rewarded with a horse. Once the 13th amendment was ratified, abolishing slavery, "Carver's George" was adopted my Moses Carver and he became George Carver. It was not until he was in high school that he took the middle initial, "W", in order to avoid confusion at the post office. People would ask him if the "W" stood for Washington and he replied, "Why not?"2 Thus, his middle name was created.
             Carver started very young in his innate interest and curiosity in nature. He was very thirsty for knowledge. Referring to himself as a young boy, he later said, "I wanted to know every strange stone, flower insect, bird or beast"3. He became especially fond of plants. Even as a young boy, his neighbors would call him "the plant doctor", as he would nurse many sick plants back to health.4
             Young Carver left his home, poor and barefoot, around age ten to go to school. Thankfully, there was an elementary school, Lincoln School, for blacks, only about nine miles from the Carver's home. He acquainted himself with Mrs. Maria Watkins, a midwife who only had a fence separating her home from the school. She and Mr. Watkins took little Carver in and they became like an aunt and uncle to him. He earned his stay by milking the cows and bringing in the wood. "Aunt Maria"5 gave little Carver a bible, which he still...