George Washington Carver: A plant scientist’s perspective

“The study of Nature … is the only true method that leads up to a clear understanding of the great natural principles which surround every branch of business in which we may engage.”

Extracted from ‘Progressive nature studies’ by G.W. Carver (1897).

Biographies about George Washington Carver describe a Black, thin-skinned and frail boy, traded for the price of a horse, who grew to become one of the most famous influencers in US agriculture. The struggles, brilliance and fortuitous incidents that characterised Carver’s life and work are exposed in websites, books, podcasts and on social media, and have inspired the name of more than 10 international organisations. The aim of this profile is to highlight the impact of Carver’s contributions to modern plant science and to celebrate his achievements as a pioneering interdisciplinary researcher. By discussing his work, in light of recent discoveries in legume symbioses and soil nutrition, the goal is to reveal his foresight and relevance, inspire new generations from diverse backgrounds and contribute to the decolonisation of the curriculum in higher education.