Benjamin Carson is an American neurosurgeon, author, and politician. He was born on September 18, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised by his single mother, Sonya, who worked multiple jobs to support their family. Despite their humble beginnings, Carson excelled in school and went on to graduate from Yale University with a degree in psychology, and then from the University of Michigan Medical School.
Carson’s career as a neurosurgeon began in 1984, when he became the youngest person ever to lead a major division at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He quickly made a name for himself as a skilled surgeon, specializing in the separation of conjoined twins and the treatment of rare neurological disorders. Over the course of his career, Carson performed numerous groundbreaking surgeries, earning him international recognition and acclaim.
In addition to his work as a surgeon, Carson is also a prolific author, having written over ten books on a variety of topics, including his own life story, his experiences as a surgeon, and his political beliefs. He has also been a frequent guest on television shows and news programs, where he has discussed his views on topics such as healthcare, education, and politics.
Carson’s wealth comes from his successful career as a surgeon and author, as well as from his investments in real estate and other ventures. In 2013, he was estimated to have a net worth of around $10 million, although this figure has likely increased since then.
In 2016, Carson entered the world of politics when he announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. Although he ultimately withdrew from the race, he was later appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Carson held this position from 2017 to 2021, when he stepped down to return to private life.
Despite his success and wealth, Carson has remained committed to giving back to his community. He and his wife, Candy, have established the Carson Scholars Fund, which awards scholarships to students who excel academically and demonstrate a commitment to community service. He has also been involved in numerous other philanthropic endeavors, including the creation of the Carson Reading Room program, which provides books and reading materials to children in underserved communities.
Here is a timeline of the life and career of Benjamin Carson:
- 1951: Benjamin Carson is born on September 18 in Detroit, Michigan.
- 1961: Carson’s parents divorce, and he and his brother are raised by their single mother, Sonya.
- 1973: Carson graduates from Yale University with a degree in psychology.
- 1977: Carson graduates from the University of Michigan Medical School and begins his residency in neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
- 1984: At the age of 33, Carson becomes the youngest person ever to lead a major division at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
- 1987: Carson gains international recognition for his successful surgery to separate conjoined twins.
- 1994: Carson’s autobiography, “Gifted Hands,” is published and becomes a bestseller.
- 2001: Carson is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
- 2013: Carson announces his retirement from surgery and becomes a political commentator and speaker.
- 2015: Carson announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
- 2017: Carson is confirmed as the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Donald Trump.
- 2021: Carson steps down as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and returns to private life.
5 interesting facts about Benjamin Carson:
- At age 33, Carson became the youngest person to ever lead a major division at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
- Carson was a key figure in the successful separation of conjoined twins, and has also performed numerous other groundbreaking surgeries throughout his career.
- Carson’s autobiography, “Gifted Hands,” has been adapted into a TV movie, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as Carson.
- Carson ran for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2016, but ultimately withdrew from the race and endorsed Donald Trump.
- In addition to his medical and political careers, Carson is a prolific author, having written over ten books on topics ranging from his life story to his political beliefs.
5 quotes from Benjamin Carson:
- “Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them. And if you look at these obstacles as a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look at them as a hurdle, each one strengthens you for the next.”
- “We live in a country that used to believe in God, but we’ve drifted away from that so rapidly that we hardly recognize it.”
- “One of the things that I have learned about success is that it is very rarely attained by those who are looking for it.”
- “You know, as a doctor, you never count anyone out. You never know who’s going to beat the odds and who isn’t.”
- “We must embrace medicine with the same passion and intensity that we employ to destroy each other in war. We must realize that we are all in this together.”
