AspireAgain OP t1_j52otl9 wrote on January 19, 2023 at 11:49 PM

Reply to comment by aidenjoneslearn4fun in TIL that George "Washington" Carver never formally used Washington as a middle name. He originally chose the middle initial W at random to ensure accurate mail delivery. Someone once asked if the "W" stood for Washington and Carver said "Why not?" He signed his name as George or George W. Carver. by AspireAgain

If I had to guess, perhaps "Washington" started to be used to help promote adoption of the agricultural advances he had worked on. It probably made his name more memorable, and also helped African-Americans who first heard the name to realize that he was African-American also.

aidenjoneslearn4fun t1_j5bunhi wrote on January 21, 2023 at 9:41 PM

Sorry the comment was jokingly. I meant no meaning as in maybe he thought their was no true meaning not that it had no meaning at all.

That is very logical that Washington was picked for African recognition.

AspireAgain OP t1_j5deth1 wrote on January 22, 2023 at 4:31 AM

No problem, I didn’t downvote you.

aidenjoneslearn4fun t1_j5mvwp8 wrote on January 24, 2023 at 3:06 AM

This is very understandable as a name that would be recognized would of course help bring recognition to fellows who might want to see the various ways his name was in use. The name being something not only short aka W but also being a name that can be remembered makes it so that the record of the man is more likely to remain intact as opposed to a name.that would make him forgettable and therefore lost to history.

We can only guess if it was for the African American community. Well I cannot guess for I am not African American. I am sure this is part of some history for them however. I cannot be completely certain on this aspect. Anyway the scneario sounds like something made in the moment so he had to devise a solution for that situation!