(April 5, 1856–November 14, 1915), was a Black American educator, writer and reformer. Born a slave, he taught at Malden, West Virginia, and at the Hampton Institute. He founded the Tuskegee Institute and recruited George Washington Carver as a professor. He wrote Up From Slavery, 1901; and The Future of the American Negro, 1899. He was the first Black to have his picture on a U.S. postage stamp, 1940; the first Black elected to the Hall of Fame, 1945; and the first Black to have his image on a U.S. coin, 1946.
In the spring of 1896, Booker T. Washington wrote a letter to George W. Carver, who had just received his Masters Degree from Iowa State Agricultural Institute:
Tuskegee Institute seeks to provide education—a means for survival to those who attend. Our students are poor, often starving. They travel miles of torn roads, across years of poverty. We teach them to read and write, but words cannot fill stomachs. They need to learn how to plant and harvest crops. …
I cannot offer you money, position or fame. The first two you have. The last, from the place you now occupy, you will no doubt achieve.
These things I now ask you to give up. I offer you in their place—work—hard, hard work—the challenge of bringing people from degradation, poverty and waste to full manhood.
Booker T. Washington2909
On May 16, 1896, George W. Carver responded to Booker T. Washington:
My dear Sir,
I am just in receipt of yours of the 13th inst., and hasten to reply.
I am looking forward to a very busy, pleasant and profitable time at your college and shall be glad to cooperate with you in doing all I can through Christ who strengtheneth me to better the condition of our people.
Some months ago I read your stirring address delivered at Chicago and I said amen to all you said, furthermore you have the correct solution to the “race problem”. …
Providence permitting, I will be there in Nov.
God bless you and your work,
Geo. W. Carver2910
Booker T. Washington declared:
I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.2911
No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.2912
Regarding social work, Booker T. Washington stated:
I have always had the greatest respect for the work of The Salvation Army, especially because I have noted that draws no color line in religion.2913