Booker T. Washington

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Barbara J. Feldman

Booker T. Washington (1856 - 1915) was a prominent black leader, educator, presidential adviser, and founder of the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University.). Although born a slave, after the slaves were freed in 1865, Washington found a way to get an education, and then started a school so that other freed slaves could better themselves economically.

BrainyQuote: Booker T. Washington Quotes

3 stars

"I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed." BrainyQuote presents a collection of sixteen Booker T. Washington quotes, as well as a biography (link in the left-hand column.) To browse additional quotes, peruse Related Authors, or click on Educator Quotes.

Documenting the American South: Up From Slavery

5 stars

Documenting the American South, housed at the University of North Carolina, is a digital collection of texts, images, and audio files related to Southern history. The Booker T. Washington archive includes a biography and the full text (and a one-paragraph summary) of his autobiography Up From Slavery. "I was born a slave on a plantation in Franklin County, Virginia. I am not quite sure of the exact place or exact date of my birth, but at any rate I suspect I must have been born somewhere and at some time."

Legends of Tuskegee: Booker T. Washington

5 stars

This slide show biography is my Booker T. Washington pick of the day because of the terrific photographs, use of relevant quotes, and excellent layout. Follow along using the Next buttons, or print a text-only version (link on the front page only.) George W. Carver ("educator, scientist, artist, and humanitarian") and the Tuskegee Airmen ("refers to all who were involved in the so-called 'Tuskegee Experiment,' the Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft") are the other featured legends.

National Park Service: Booker T. Washington

4 stars

The Virginia tobacco farm house were Washington was born is now a National Monument maintained by the National Park Service. Best clicks for those not able to visit in person are found in In Depth and Education Programs. In Depth includes a biography and curriculum activities for grades two through four (click on Enrichment.) Although some of the lesson plans found in Education Programs revolve around a field trip to the Monument, the pre and post-trip activities for grades pre-K through eleven are still valuable for those who can't make the trek.

SCORE H/SS: Booker T. Washington

4 stars

Built by a college student studying to become a teacher, this Booker T. Washington site is my pick of the day for young elementary students. The kids' portion of the site includes a Virtual Museum (a biography illustrated with photographs and maps), a Storybook (a slide show story with illustrations) and two Student Activities (Write a Story, Draw a Picture.) "Booker T. Washington believed that education would help people live happier lives. Describe how one thing you have learned in school has made you happy."