Early Life
"Booker T. Washington, three-quarter length portrait, standing, facing left] / Shepherd, St. Paul." Credit: Library of Congress
Life experiences alter one's entire being, changing their ideas concerning important topics and shaping them as an individual. Booker Taliaferro Washington is certainly no exception.
Born 1856 (though Up From Slavery says 1858 or 1859) in Franklin County, Virginia, Washington and his family were "slaves of James Burroughs who was a prominent member of a small community of slave-owning farmers" (National Park Service, 2012). Per Washington, "My life had its beginning in the midst of the most miserable, desolate, and discouraging surroundings," though this was not because his owners were "especially cruel' (Washington, 1995). Sadly, Washington's mother probably fell victim to the violation of Black women that was so prevalent during the era of slavery. Washington wrote of his father, "I have heard reports to the effect that he was a white man who lived on one of the near-by plantations. Whoever he was, I never heard of his taking the least interest in me or providing in any way for my rearing" (Washington, 1995). Though Washington, ever gracious, did not necessarily find fault with his father, growing up without knowledge of his family or heritage would certainly shape his life (Washington, 1995).
Another aspect of Washington's life that would shape him was the fact that he was never truly allowed to be a child. In fact, when asked about sports or pastimes he enjoyed as a young person, Washington realized "that there was no period of my life that was devoted to play" (Washington, 1995). For Washington, "almost every day of my life has been occupied in some kind of labour [sic]; though I think I would now be a more useful man if I had had time for sports" (Washington, 1995). Even though some might argue that Washington's engagement in continuous work would make him less lazy and more productive, this passage indicates that perhaps there was emotional trauma that followed Washington because he was denied a childhood. It would never be healthy for anyone—youth or adult—to work constantly without respite, but this was something Washington, because of slavery, had to endure.
What is more, when carrying corn home from the mill, it would often fall (Washington, 1995). Washington, not yet strong enough to re-lift the corn onto his steed, was forced to wait for someone to come along and help him, sometimes having to halt his journey home for hours before help arrived. Washington wrote, "The hours while waiting for some one were usually spent in crying" (Washington, 1995). This line shows just how horrifying these early life experiences were for young Washington. And even though he would move past these melancholic memories to one day lead a productive life, he obviously recalled these trials readily.
Washington, though he did not receive an education as a slave, was sometimes tasked with following his "mistress" to school so he could carry her books (Washington, 1995). Unlike some of Washington's other life experiences as a youth, which could be classified as traumatic, this exposure to school could serve as a source of determination. Even Washington wrote, "The picture of several dozen boys and girls in a schoolroom engaged in study made a deep impression upon me, and I had the feeling that to get into a schoolhouse and study in this way would be about the same as getting into paradise" (Washington, 1995).
Freedom, so long waited for, finally came in 1865 when the Civil War ended. The same year, Washington's family traveled to Malden, West Virginia, so they could join Washington's stepfather (Tuskegee University, n.d.). Even though he was a child, Washington notes that his "stepfather put me and my brother at work in one of the furnaces [at the salt mines]. Often I began work as early as four o'clock in the morning" (Washington, 1995). According to National Park Service, "A school opened up in the area, but Washington's stepfather refused to let him attend." For Washington, "The disappointment" of not being allowed to attend school "was made all the more severe by reason of the fact that my place of work was where I could see the happy children passing to and from school, mornings and afternoons" (Washington, 1995).
Finally, Washington was able to receive lessons at night, until he was "permitted to go to the school in the day for a few months, with the understanding that I was to rise early in the morning and work in the furnace till nine o'clock, and return immediately after school closed in the afternoon for at least two more hours of work" (Washington, 1995).
"Interior of salt mine." Credit: Library of Congress
Eventually, Washington decided "to leave his home and job and move into one of the wealthiest homes in town to become a house servant of General Lewis Ruffner and his wife Viola who were one of the leading families of Malden" (National Park Service, 2012). Unfortunately for Washington, he was still not able to financially support himself at this point, since all of his earnings went to his family (National Park Service, 2012).
Even though he was denied his income, Washington received something arguably greater than money—"Viola took a particular interest in him and worked with him in his education" (National Park Service, 2012). Washington recognized the impact this had on his life, as he noted, "At any rate, I here repeat what I have said more than once before, that the lessons that I learned in the home of Mrs. Ruffner were as valuable to me as any education I have ever gotten anywhere since" (Washington, 1995). Washington came to a point where he counted her as one of his best friends, and Viola "always encouraged and sympathized with me in all my efforts to get an education" (Washington, 1995). Not only was Viola an employer, she was a friend and encourager to young Washington.
Washington's early life was shaping him so that, one day, he would play a key role in history, specifically African American history. What is more, a time was quickly coming where, for Washington, receiving a sound education would be more than a far-fetched dream. Through hard work, dedication, and firm resolve, Washington was striving to make his educational goals a reality.
"Booker T. Washington, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front." Credit: Library of Congress