 
booker t.[washington was born a virginia slave in 1856 and rose to become 
the most important black leader of his time. 
after slavery was abolished he went to hampton institute, a college for 
blacks in virginia and supported himself by working as a janitor. 
washington taught school for a few years. 
then the state of alabama asked him to start a new college for blacks. 
he became the first president of tuskegee institute. 
within 20 years washington built up the college from a few buildings on an 
old plantation to 40 buildings with more than 1,000 students. 
almost all of the buildings were erected by the students themselves. 
throughout his life this educator preached that blacks could improve their 
lot by educating themselves and depending on their own efforts. 
he believed that they should become skilled farmers or learn a trade. 
the way to get ahead, washington said, was to make a good impression: to 
work hard, to be clean, and to have good manners. 
these ideas were carried out at tuskegee, and the school became famous. 
washington was an outstanding orator, and he spoke all over the nation. 
many people thought that he was one of the wisest men in the country. 
the president of the united states, theodore roosevelt, asked washington's 
advice on black affairs. 
washington's autobiography, up from slavery, became a popular book of the 
period. 
later, some black groups criticized washington. 
he was attacked for not urging blacks to fight for their rights. 
washington thought that blacks could best raise themselves through 
economic means, by helping themselves. 
