Carver was born about 1864 and lived until 1943. His work as a scientist won him international fame for his agricultural research. He was especially noted for his work with peanuts. He made more than 300 products from peanuts, including a milk subsitute, face powder, ink, and soap. Carver also created more than 75 products from pecans and over 100 products from sweet potatoes. In addition, he developed a synthetic marble from wood shaving along with many other products. His achivements enabled poor Southern farmers to grow crops that would sustain them instead of just cotton. In 1910, he became head of Tuskegee's Department of Research and gave his life savings to this institute. Carver also helped promote the interests of black people and worked to improve relations between blacks and whites. Learn more about this amazing African American scientist by checking out a biography on him.