George Washington
1732–1799 · Commander of the Continental Army and first President of the United States.
George Washington was born in Virginia to a family of planters. As a young man he worked as a surveyor and then served as an officer in the French and Indian War. He became a wealthy planter at Mount Vernon, where the work was done by enslaved people, and served in the Virginia legislature. In 1775 the Continental Congress chose him to command the new Continental Army. He lost more battles than he won, but he kept the army together through hard winters such as Valley Forge, surprised the enemy at Trenton after crossing the icy Delaware River, and with French help forced the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781. He then resigned his command and went home, which astonished the world. He presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was elected the first president, serving two terms from 1789 to 1797 and setting many lasting customs. His Farewell Address warned against political factions and foreign entanglements. In his will he provided for freeing the people he had enslaved.
George Washington is also an author in the library: author page and works.
Faith: Baptized as an infant and a devoted Anglican; as president he supported religious toleration. Source: Wikipedia
Key dates
- 1732 Born in Westmoreland County, Virginia
- 1775 Named commander of the Continental Army
- 1781 British surrender at Yorktown
- 1789 Inaugurated first President
- 1796 Farewell Address
- 1799 Dies at Mount Vernon
Fun facts
- In one battle he had two horses shot out from under him, and bullets went through his hat and coat. (Source: George Washington (Wikipedia))
- His two favourite horses were Blueskin and Nelson. (Source: George Washington (Wikipedia))
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In their words
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
Read about them
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Grades K–2
- I am George Washington by Brad Meltzer (Dial Books, 2016; Hardcover edition; ISBN 9780525428480)
Bookshop.org · Amazon - A Picture Book of George Washington by David A. Adler (Holiday House, Incorporated, 2018; ISBN 9780823440597)
Bookshop.org · Amazon
Grades 3–5
- Who Was George Washington? by Roberta Edwards (Grosset & Dunlap, 2009; ISBN 9780448448923)
Bookshop.org · Amazon
Grades 6–8
- The Newburgh Address · In the library
- Washington at Valley Forge by Russell Freedman (Holiday House, Incorporated, 2020; ISBN 9780823445080)
Bookshop.org · Amazon
Grades 9–12
- Farewell Address and Selected Letters · In the library
- Washington: A Life · In the library
More lives
John Adams · Samuel Adams · Josiah Bartlett · Carter Braxton · Edmund Burke · Charles Carroll of Carrollton