Henry Kirklin facts for kids
Henry Kirklin was a very talented plant expert, also known as a horticulturist. He was also a successful businessman and became the first African-American teacher at the University of Missouri. People all over the world knew him for his amazing skills with plants. The newspaper Columbia Missourian even called him "one of the best-known plant authorities of his time."
Henry Kirklin was freed from slavery when he was just five years old. He learned a lot about growing plants from German immigrants. When he was only fourteen, he started working as a greenhouse supervisor at the University of Missouri. People quickly saw how good he was, and soon he began teaching classes.
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Who Was Henry Kirklin?
Henry Kirklin was a remarkable person who overcame many challenges. He became a leading expert in growing plants and shared his knowledge with many others. His life story shows how much he loved learning and teaching.
Early Life and Learning About Plants
Henry Kirklin was born in 1858. He was freed from slavery when he was a young child, at the age of five. After gaining his freedom, he started to learn about horticulture. This is the science and art of growing plants, like fruits, vegetables, and flowers. He learned these skills from German immigrants who were very good at gardening.
Teaching at the University of Missouri
When Henry Kirklin was just 14 years old, he got a job at the University of Missouri. He became the supervisor of the university's greenhouse. Everyone quickly noticed how skilled he was with plants. Because of his great knowledge, he soon started teaching classes.
At that time, the University of Missouri was segregated. This meant that Black and white students and teachers were kept separate. So, Henry Kirklin taught his classes in two places. He taught some lessons in his own home garden. He also taught on the steps of the university greenhouse. This way, he could share his knowledge with everyone who wanted to learn.
Honoring His Legacy
In 2021, the University of Missouri officially recognized Henry Kirklin as its first Black instructor. The university president, Mun Choi, helped dedicate the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory. This special lab is part of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.
Henry Kirklin has also been honored in other ways. There is a special marker for him on Columbia's African American Heritage Trail. This marker is close to where his home and garden used to be. It helps people remember his important contributions.
Henry Kirklin passed away in 1938. He was buried in Columbia Cemetery. For 82 years, his grave did not have a marker. But in 2020, a campaign was started to raise money for a proper grave marker. Now, his resting place is recognized.
