Ben Carson
Medical career
Profession	Neurosurgeon
Institutions	Johns Hopkins University National Academy of Medicine
Sub-specialties	Pediatric neurosurgery Achondroplasia Craniosynostosis Epilepsy Trigeminal neuralgia
Research	Hemispherectomy Conjoined twins separation

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr. (born September 18, 1951) is an American retired neurosurgeon, author, and politician. He is famous for his amazing work as a brain surgeon, especially with children. From 2017 to 2021, he served as the 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He also ran for President of the United States in 2016.

Carson has received many awards for his medical work. These include over 60 honorary degrees and national honors. In 2001, Time magazine named him one of the top 20 doctors and scientists in the nation. The Library of Congress also called him one of 89 "Living Legends." In 2008, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award a civilian can get in the United States. A TV movie called Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story was made about his life in 2009.

Early Life and Education
Medical Career
Books and Writings
2016 Presidential Campaign
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Carson Scholars Fund
American Cornerstone Institute
Personal Life
- Vegetarianism
Interesting Facts About Ben Carson
Ben Carson Quotes
Awards and Honors
See also

Early Life and Education

Ben Carson was born on September 18, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were Robert Solomon Carson Jr. and Sonya Carson. His father worked at a car factory. Ben also has an older brother named Curtis.

When Ben was eight, his parents separated. He moved with his mother and brother to Boston for two years. Later, they moved back to southwest Detroit. Ben went to Higgins Elementary School and Wilson Junior High School.

High School Years

Ben attended Southwestern High School. He was a very good student and graduated third in his class. He worked as a lab assistant in biology, chemistry, and physics. He also worked in a biology lab at Wayne State University during a summer.

College Life

Carson wanted to go to college far from home. He chose Yale University and received a full scholarship. This scholarship covered his tuition, room, and food. In 1973, he graduated from Yale with a degree in psychology. He also worked part-time as a student police aide.

Medical School Journey

In 1977, Carson earned his medical degree (M.D.) from the University of Michigan Medical School. He then joined the neurosurgery program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He spent six years there, training to become a brain surgeon. He also spent a year working in Australia.

Medical Career

In 1984, at age 33, Ben Carson became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. He was the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the U.S.

One of his most famous achievements was in 1987. He led a team that successfully separated conjoined twins who were joined at the back of their heads. He also developed new ways to treat brain tumors. He improved techniques for a surgery called hemispherectomy. This surgery helps control severe seizures in children. He wrote over 100 medical papers. He retired from medicine in 2013. At that time, he was a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Books and Writings

Carson and President George W. Bush in 2008

Ben and Candy Carson with George and Laura Bush in 2008

Ben Carson has written many articles and six bestselling books. His first book, published in 1992, was about his own life. Other books share his ideas about success and the importance of faith.

2016 Presidential Campaign

Carson speaking at a campaign event in August 2015

On May 4, 2015, Ben Carson announced he would run for president. He wanted to be the Republican candidate in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Carson at a rally in August 2015

Carson and Sean Hannity in January 2016

Carson speaking before the Nevada caucuses in February 2016

His campaign highlighted his story of overcoming a difficult childhood. He grew up in a poor, single-parent home and became a world-famous brain surgeon. On March 2, 2016, he decided to end his campaign. He said he did not see a way to win.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Carson at the 2019 State of the Union

Carson speaks in 2019

In December 2016, President Donald Trump chose Ben Carson to be the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. This is a very important job in the U.S. government. The United States Senate approved his nomination. He served in this role from 2017 to 2021.

Carson Scholars Fund

In 1994, Ben Carson and his wife started the Carson Scholars Fund. This fund gives scholarships to students in grades 4–11. The scholarships are for students who show "academic excellence and humanitarian qualities."

Students who receive a Carson Scholars Fund scholarship get $1,000 for their college education. The fund has given out 6,700 scholarships. In 2005, Carson received an award for his work with the fund and other charity efforts.

American Cornerstone Institute

In 2021, Carson started the American Cornerstone Institute (ACI). This group works to promote policies that support "faith, liberty, community, and life." The ACI wants to help people in need. It also aims to reduce the government's role in society.

Personal Life

Ben Carson and his wife, Lacena "Candy" Rustin, met in college. They married in 1975. They have three sons: Rhoeyce, Benjamin Jr., and Murray. Their oldest son, Murray, was born in Australia.

In 2002, Carson had surgery for prostate cancer. He recovered well. In 2013, he and his family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida.

Vegetarianism

Ben Carson used to be a lacto-ovo vegetarian. This means he ate milk, eggs, or cheese, and sometimes poultry. He said he chose this diet for health reasons. He wanted to avoid parasites and heart disease.

Interesting Facts About Ben Carson

At age eight, Carson dreamed of becoming a missionary doctor.
In high school, he played the euphonium in the band. He also joined the chess club and a public speaking group. He was part of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program. He reached its highest rank, cadet colonel.
In his book Gifted Hands, Carson shares that he had a bad temper when he was young.
His college admission test scores were in the top 10% of test-takers.
He applied to Yale after seeing their team win a TV show called G.E. College Bowl.
During his summers in college and medical school, he worked many different jobs. These included a payroll clerk, a trash picker, a crane operator, and an X-ray technician.
At Johns Hopkins, Carson improved a surgery called hemispherectomy. This surgery removes part of the brain to help children with severe epilepsy.

Ben Carson Quotes

"Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give."
"Always give your best and try to figure out how to do an even better job."
"When I don't have an answer, I pray. God is the only alternative source of help."
"You are what you think."
"Be nice to every-body. You meet the same people going up as you meet going down."
"Not prejudge others – not decide their value before knowing them"
"The mind, once stretched by an idea, never returns to its original dimension."

Awards and Honors

Carson at the White House in 2008 for the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Ben Carson is a member of several important groups, including the American Academy of Achievement.

He has received 38 honorary degrees and many national awards. Detroit Public Schools even opened a high school named after him. It's called the Dr. Benjamin Carson High School of Science and Medicine.

In 2000, he won an award for helping disadvantaged people.
In 2001, the Library of Congress named him one of 89 "Living Legends."
In 2004, he joined The President's Council on Bioethics.
In 2005, Carson received the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership.
In 2006, he received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP. This is their highest honor for great achievements.
In 2008, the White House gave Carson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award for civilians in the U.S.
In 2008, he received the Ford's Theatre Lincoln Medal. This award is for people who show qualities like courage and honesty, like President Abraham Lincoln.
In 2008, U.S. News & World Report named Carson one of "America's Best Leaders."
In 2010, he was chosen for the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. This is a very high honor in health and medicine.
In 2014, a poll by Gallup ranked Carson sixth on a list of the most admired people.
He is an emeritus fellow of the Yale Corporation.

Ben Carson facts for kids

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