Named in memory of George Washington Carver (1860-1943), credited by many as the first black American scientist. Born into slavery, he was largely self-educated, but he earned a master's degree in science in 1896 and devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural research, especially the development of food and household products from peanuts, soybeans and sweet potatoes. His scientific stature earned him election to the Royal Society in 1916, but Carver was also an outstanding teacher, artist and humanitarian. He is perhaps best remembered for his most enduring and beloved invention, peanut butter. Name suggested and citation prepared by G. C. L. Aikman.
