Augustus Jackson
After working as a White House chef in the 1820s, Augustus Jackson invented new recipes and a better technique for making ice cream.
Synopsis
Augustus Jackson worked as a White House cook early on and was later dubbed the "Father of Ice Cream." Though he did not invent ice cream—for which he's sometimes incorrectly given credit—he did create many popular ice cream recipes, becoming one of the wealthiest African Americans in Philadelphia.
Background
Augustus Jackson worked as a White House cook in the 1820s. After leaving that job, he returned to his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and went into business for himself as a caterer and confectioner. When Jackson developed an improved method for making ice cream, he began to sell his new creation to both street vendors and ice cream parlors.
Dubbed 'Father of Ice Cream'
Jackson was soon dubbed the "Father of Ice Cream," and was sometimes incorrectly given credit for inventing ice cream. While that is not true, he did create a number of popular ice cream recipes. His business success helped him become one of the wealthiest African Americans in Philadelphia.
