Sixth Grade
Worksheets
John Biggers
Some people like things in large sizes. John Biggers liked enormous works of art. He became an amazing muralist who inspired future generations to rise above difficult circumstances.
John Biggers was born in Gastonia, North Carolina, on April 13, 1924. He was the youngest of seven children. John's life was not easy. His father died when he was in his early teens, so John helped his mother with her laundry business. Often, he was up very early so he could light fires and scrub laundry on a washboard before school. John had time for some fun, too. When he was small, he created a model of his town out of clay under his house with his siblings. All of his brothers and sisters also helped with the family work.
Later, John's mother made a difficult choice. She decided to send John and his brother, James, away to school. The two boys went to Lincoln Academy so that they could receive good educations. The principal of the school had been a missionary in West Africa. He made John aware of African culture. This influenced John for the rest of his life.
