I’ll get to that…
George Washington Carver was born in Neosho, MO. in October 1864. He became an agricultural chemist of international fame who revolutionized the economy of the south by introducing hundreds of uses for the peanut, soybean, pecan and sweet potato as a replacement for cotton. These crops not only replenished the soil, but continue to contribute greatly to the southern economy.
Born in Missouri, educated in Kansas and Iowa, he was not only a chemist but also an accomplished artist, having won an honorable mention for one of his paintings at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
His many discoveries led to international fame. He became a confidant and advisor to leaders and scientists from all over the world. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, President Franklin Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, even Mahatma Gandhi sought his talents.
As incredible as all his achievements and fame are, that is not what I find most appealing about him. Although well trained in his chosen profession, it’s his humility of character and the way in which he approached his creative work that I find extremely attractive.
As most creative people will admit, they create best when alone. Dr. Carver was like that. He entered his laboratory alone and would lock the door behind him. He once said, “Only alone can I draw close enough to God to discover His secrets”. He believed God would show him what questions to ask and how to conduct each experiment. He reasoned that the One whom created the plants was also the same One who had all the answers as their use.
In 1921, Carver accepted an invitation to address the United States Senate Ways and Means Committee concerning the potential uses of the peanut and other new crops to improve the economy of the south. Asked by the Chairman of the Committee how he learned all these things, Carver answered, “From an old book.” “What book?” asked the Senator. “The Bible”, replied Dr. Carver. “Does the Bible tell about peanuts?” inquired the Senator. “No Sir”, Carver replied, “But it tells about the God who made the peanut. I asked Him to show me what to do with the peanut, and He did.”
As a Christian and an artist, I am drawn to Dr. Carver’s love for God and his absolute trust in Him to guide his work. He once said, “My work, my life, must be in the spirit of a little child seeking only to know the truth and follow it. My purpose alone must be God’s purpose – to increase the welfare and happiness of His people…”
Creativity, the ability to create, is a gift to us from God. It didn’t just light upon us through some impersonal cosmic happenstance. With the gift comes responsibility. George Washington Carver understood this and we, as artists, can learn from his attitude as it applies toward our life’s work. He was a man of unusual creativity and humility and possessed an attitude worthy of emulation.
