Year:1894​

Who: Congressman George Washington Murray

Where: South Carolina​

What: George Washington Murray, born into slavery in Sumter County, South Carolina, in 1853, rose to prominence as a congressman and prolific inventor whose engineering achievements sought to uplift Black farmers and improve agricultural efficiency. Known as the "Black Congressman from South Carolina," Murray balanced his political career with a remarkable inventive spirit, securing 12 patents for groundbreaking agricultural tools designed to ease the labor-intensive farming process.

While serving in Congress from 1893 to 1897, Murray focused on protecting Black voting rights amid the rise of Jim Crow laws. Yet his contributions extended far beyond the political arena. In 1894, he patented a furrow opener, a fertilizer distributor, a mechanical cotton chopper, and several other innovations that streamlined planting and harvesting. These inventions addressed the pressing needs of Southern farmers, enabling greater efficiency and productivity in the fields. Murray’s tools reflected his commitment to empowering the agricultural community, particularly Black farmers struggling against systemic barriers.

Murray’s engineering achievements weren’t confined to his patents. In a landmark 1894 speech before the House of Representatives, he read into the Congressional Record the names and contributions of 92 Black inventors, emphasizing their integral role in America’s technological progress. He advocated for showcasing these accomplishments at national exhibitions, arguing that Black inventors deserved recognition as contributors to the nation’s industrial and agricultural advancements.

After losing his congressional seat in 1896 due to voter suppression and gerrymandering, Murray returned to farming and real estate. Despite facing personal and legal challenges, he continued his work as a lecturer and writer, highlighting racial progress and the need for equity.

Sources:

Websites:

• MIT Press. (n.d.). 300 Years of African American Invention and Innovation. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/300-years-of-african-american-invention-and-innovation/#easy-footnote-33-7368

• BlackPast. (n.d.). George Washington Murray (1853-1926). https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/murray-george-washington-1853-1926/#:~:text=South%20Carolina%20Congressman%20George%20Washington,where%20he%20graduated%20in%201876