George Crum
George Crum (born George Speck; c. 1832– July 22, 1914) was a mixed-race African/Native American tracker and guide in the Adirondacks, who became renowned for his culinary skills after becoming a cook and restaurant owner in Saratoga Springs, New York. By 1860 he owned Crum's House, a popular lakeside restaurant in nearby Malta, New York.
By the early 20th century, Crum was credited in some popular accounts as having developed potato chips.
Biography
He was born George Speck in Malta, New York, south of Saratoga Springs; his mother was a Native American Huron and his father was African American, who worked as a jockey. When he got older, George Speck adopted his father's racing surname, "Crum". George had a sister Katie. Learning the area as a child, George Crum later worked as a trapper and an Adirondack hunting guide.
Like many other area residents, Crum worked at the Adirondack resorts, where he discovered his culinary skills. He became a cook at Cary Moon's Lake House in Saratoga, noted as an expensive restaurant at a time when wealthy families from Manhattan and other areas were building summer "camps" in the area. Crum became known for his skills as a chef.
