Born into slavery on April 5, 1856, in Franklin County, Virginia, Booker Taliaferro
Washington remained a slave until the end of the Civil War. A freed boy at nine years old,
Washington found employment in a coal mine. Nine months of the year were spent working
while the remaining three were spent in school. After working as a servant for a year and a half, Washington became determined to obtain sufficient funds to enroll in Hampton Institute in Virginia. He struggled with various financial difficulties until he was finally admitted. He took a custodial job at the school to help defray costs. At Hampton, Washington received a higher education in core academic subjects and agriculture.
Upon graduating in 1875, Washington taught school for a combined total of five years. In
1881, the founder of Hampton recommended him for a position as principal of a new school.
