Booker T. Washington had an uncertain birth date and was born into slavery. He worked various jobs as a child before attending Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, where he became a teacher. Washington gave a famous speech at the Atlanta Exposition advocating for African Americans to focus on industrial education and economic prosperity rather than political advancement. His speech initially received praise from both black and white audiences but later faced some criticism from African Americans who felt he conceded too much to white supremacy. The document provides background on Washington's life and analyzes the reactions to his influential Atlanta Exposition speech.