Carter Godwin Woodson Early Life And Education Summary

Chapter One: Early Life and Education

Carter Godwin Woodson was born on December 19, 1875, in a small town called New Canton, Buckingham County, Virginia. He was the fourth of nine children of James and Anna Woodson, who were former slaves. His parents had gained their freedom after the Civil War, and they bought a small farm in Virginia, where they raised their family.

Hardship and poverty were a part of Woodson's upbringing. He had to work on the farm from an early age, helping his father with the crops and the animals. He also had to deal with the racism and discrimination that pervaded the post-Reconstruction South. He witnessed the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, the Jim Crow laws, and the lynching of Black people. He later recalled, "I have

His mother, who had learned to read from her former mistress, taught him the basics of reading and writing. His father, who was illiterate but had a good memory, told him stories about his ancestors and their struggles for freedom. Woodson also learned from other sources, such as newspapers, magazines, books, and oral traditions. He developed a keen interest in history, especially the history of his own people. He said, "I wanted to know more about my people than I could find in books." 4

However, Woodson had limited access to formal education. There were few schools for Black children in his area, and they were often poorly funded and staffed. Woodson attended school sporadically, whenever he could spare time from his farm work. He also faced resistance from his father, who did not see the value of education and wanted him to focus on practical skills. Woodson later wrote, "My father wanted me to be a farmer like himself; he thought that was the only way for a Negro to make a living." 5

Woodson did not give up on his dream of education. He taught himself mathematics, geography, grammar, and other subjects by studying at night with a kerosene lamp. He also borrowed books from his neighbors and friends and read them avidly. He said, "I read everything I could get my hands

He also continued his own education by taking correspondence courses from various colleges and universities. In 1900, he attended Berea College in Kentucky for one term as a special student. Berea College was one of the few interracial institutions of higher learning in the South at that time. Its commitment to social justice and its progressive atmosphere impressed Woodson. He said, "Berea College gave me my first real chance."

Woodson returned to Berea College in 1901 as a regular student. He earned his bachelor’s degree in literature in 1903 with high honors. He was also active in various extracurricular activities such as debating, journalism, athletics, and music. He was the editor of The Pinnacle, the college newspaper; the president of the Alpha Zeta Literary Society; the captain of the football team; and a member of the glee club. He also participated in interracial dialogues and social events, which broadened his perspective and enriched his experience. He said, "Berea College taught me to think for