Afro-American Scientists

Famous Black Scientists

By Heidi Whitcher

George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver was an African American scientist and educator. Carver is famous for many inventions including a number of uses for the peanut.

c. 1864–1943

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• Carver was known as the Peanut Man, but contrary to myth, he did not invent peanut butter.

• As a prominent scientist and educator, Carver became one of the most famous African Americans of his time.

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​Who was he?

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​George Washington Carver was born enslaved and went on to become one of the most prominent scientists and inventors of his time, as well as a teacher at the Tuskegee Institute. Carver devised over 100 products using one major crop — the peanut — including dyes, plastics and gasoline.

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• Born in 1956, Mae C. Jemison is the first African American female astronaut. She is also a physician.

• ​On June 4, 1987, Jemison became the first African American female to be admitted to Nasa's astronaut training program.

• ​On September 12, 1992, she flew into space alongside six other astronauts aboard the Endeavor on mission STS47, becoming the first African American woman in space.

  Throughout her early school years, Jemison's parents were supportive and encouraging of her talents and abilities, and she spent a considerable amount of time in her school library reading about all aspects of science, especially astronomy.

​Mae C. Jemison

• Born in 1958

• One of the most famous scientists and astrophysicist

• He has spent a lot of his time educating others.

• He is talented in breaking down complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner​.

• ​ One of Tyson's most controversial decisions at the time was the removal of Pluto from the display of planets. He classified Pluto as a dwarf planet, which invoked a strong response from some visitors. While some asked for the planet Pluto back, the International Astronomical Union followed Tyson's lead in 2006. The organization officially labeled Pluto as a dwarf planet.

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​Neil deGrasse Tyson

1892-1916

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• ​Alice Ball was an African American chemist who developed the first successful treatment for those suffering from Hansen’s disease (leprosy).

• Ball was also the very first African American and the first woman to graduate with a M.S. degree in chemistry from the College of Hawaii (now known as the University of Hawaii)

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Alice Ball

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Katherine Johnson 1918–2020

• One of NASA's human 'computers,' Katherine Johnson performed the complex calculations that enabled humans to successfully achieve space flight. Her story is depicted in the 2016 movie 'Hidden Figures.'

• Katherine Johnson made the most of limited educational opportunities for African Americans, graduating from college at age 18. She began working in aeronautics as a "computer" in 1952, and after the formation of NASA, she performed the calculations that sent astronauts into orbit in the early 1960s and to the moon in 1969. Johnson was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 and saw her story brought to light through a book and a feature film the following year. She passed away on February 24, 2020, at the age of 101.

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​Katherine Johnson