Booker T Washington

Briana Goldson

Reagan Smith

AMH 2020

20 February 2013

Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington, born in Virginia on April 5, 1856 was born into slavery. Like most slave children, his destiny to become a slave when he was older was inescapable. The fact that he had an unknown white man as a father could only make matters worse. From theses odds, his future did not look too bright. It was illegal to teach slaves to read and write but that seemed to be a dream of Washington’s regardless. Even after the Civil War, Washington was unable to attend school because he had to work at the age of nine and help support his mother and stepfather, Washington Ferguson.

“My life had its beginning in the midst of the most miserable, desolate, and discouraging surroundings,” (Washington)

It was Washington’s mother who was his literary sponsor and gave him his first book to learn to read. After years of assisting his step father at the salt mine, Washington went on to work for a coal mine for two years. The owner’s wife was somewhat close with Washington and when she noticed his interest in education she allowed him to school for an hour a day over winter.

From then on Booker T. Washington made education his mission in life. He traveled to the Hampton Institute on his own with no money or status; just him and his determination to learn. To pay his tuition Washington did many odd jobs and also convinced the school to let him become a janitor in aid to pay it off. General Samuel C. Armstrong, school headmaster and founder, took notice of Washington’s desire to strive in his education and offered him a scholarship and became Armstrong’s prodigy. They grew very close over the years and became good friends.

“The death of General Armstrong, a few weeks later, gave me the privilege of getting acquainted with one of the finest, most unselfish, and most attractive men that I have ever come in contact with.” (Washington)

He graduated in 1875 and did very well. He then paid...