George Washington Biography

Among the founding fathers of the United States of America, George Washington became the first president after winning the Revolutionary War. Born to a prominent farming family in Virginia, he trained under the Virginia Regiment and later went on to become a delegate for the Continental Congress. He served as the American president from 1789 to 1797 during which he was instrumental in bringing together the country to become the greatest in the world.

This George Washington biography looks into the growth of young George from Virginia to become the father of America and being a part of every American household for eternity. His life is a story of grit, willpower, courage, strength in the face of adversity and most importantly, the love for one’s motherland.

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Early Years of George Washington

George Washington was born on the 22nd of February, 1732 (George Washington birthday), to a prominent family in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His grandfather has acquired a considerable fortune by being in the business of tobacco cultivations and land acquisitions. He was the eldest of the six children to Mary Ball Washington, the second wife of Augustine Washington, George’s father. By the time George turned three, the family had moved to Fredericksburg and by the time he was nine years old, George inherited the ancestral Ferry Farm along with ten slaves after the demise of his father.

Unlike his brothers, George Washington’s education wasn’t a formal one but he was trained in mathematics, and land survey. Consequently, he grew up with a fondness for cartography and became a talented draftsman by early adulthood. George’s interest also lay in literature and reading up the works of the greats, he developed a unique skill in writing.

A good part of George Washington’s adolescence was spent at Belvoir and Mount Vernon, under the eyes of his surrogate father, William Fairfax. This is where he spent honing his cartography and eventually acquired the surveyor’s license by 1749. In another three years, he went on to acquire more than 937 ha of property in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Soon after he made his only trip abroad to Barbados, seeking treatment for his brother Lawrence’s tuberculosis but contracted smallpox himself. Lawrence couldn’t be saved but George had fought back his ailment, but with a scar that would go on to become the iconic face of America.

From Military to Politics – George Washington’s Works

After Lawrence Washington’s death, George too sought to be commissioned and was appointed the commander and major of a militia district. His first mission was as an envoy and intelligence officer to the Iroquois Confederacy against the French forces. Washington was to secure the British support for their war against the French but his envoy ran into the French patrol along the Ohio River. Though he was directly escorted by the military to Fort Le Boeuf, he communicated the British demand. That took grit but thankfully he was sent back unharmed back to Virginia, despite not being able to convince the French to leave. This was a mission that lasted 77 days and George gained a distinction to have survived the ordeal in tough travel conditions and the difficult winter.

On his return, George Washington was promoted and now was the commander of a large troupe from North Carolina and Virginia, along with Indian artillery. Together, they faced the French forces head-on in 1754. The strategic ambush referred to as the “Jumonville Affair” resulted in the death of Joseph Coulon, the French commander. This went on to start the famous French and Indian war that lasted for seven long years.

Through the command of the Virginia Regiment, George Washington learned the secrets of the British military tactics and used the same to gather support from the colonial politicians later to form the Central government.

The Political Career of George Washington

Aged 26, in the year 1759, George Washington had married Martha Custis, the young widow of Daniel Parke Curtis, a wealthy plantation owner. His wife was gracious, intelligent and experienced in managing the estate. The marriage however was more than love. Washington, through his wife, now had control of over 7300 ha in the Curtis estate and now become among the wealthiest persons in the state. This put him in a higher social standing and he used this influence to acquire even more wealth and property all across. His reputation as a military hero to back up his status among the influential and was soon elected to the provincial legislature of Virginia.

While still holding onto his business of tobacco export and land acquisitions, Washington gradually became the centrepiece of the Virginia assembly. As a businessman, he was highly opposed to the British taxation policies and along with the support from other colonists, he started the American Revolution.

The first step towards dethroning the British were the repeal of the Stamp Act and the subsequent passing of the Declaratory Act allowing parliamentary law to supersede colonial laws. Being an influential land speculator himself, Washington led nationwide protests against British goods. This was followed by the Boston Tea Party that led him to become a delegate for the First Continental Congress. The American Revolutionary War formally started in April 1775 and Washington came up with the Continental Army. Being the commander-in-chief, he was aptly promoted to become the chief of the Congress.

Several historical events ensued thereafter, including the Seige of Boston, the Battle of Long Island, the West Point Espionage and finally in 1783, the British opened up to peace negotiations and started evacuating troops and navy. After the “Treaty of Paris'' was signed, Washington resigned his position as the commander-in-chief and retired to Mount Vernon.

With eight years of war behind and the freedom of a country, George Washington was a celebrity when he reached Mount Vernon. This gave him the opportunity to get back to his usual businesses and recover from the losses of the war. The first presidential elections took place on the 4th of February, 1789 and the next day, despite his apprehensions, he became the first president of the United States of America. Close behind him in vote count was John Adams, who became the vice-president. Together, they started for New York on the 16th of April to take their oaths.

The First Presidency

Washington took his office on the 30th of April, 1789 at the Federal Hall in New York City. With a crowd of 10000 behind his back and a marching band led by militia, he coined for himself and his successor, the term “Mr. President”. During his term, George Washington was an able administrator, entertaining opposing views and putting all resources towards creating a strong Central Government. He revamped the old confederation that was unable to handle the bureaucracy, debts, and weak leadership. His priority as president was rebuilding the country’s economy and bringing about the Residence Act, Funding Act of 1970, while also establishing the first bank for the United States of America.

Though the President wanted to retire after his first term, a few could imagine someone else in his boots. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of George Washington’s biography was his re-election to the office in 1792, by a unanimous vote with John Adams again securing the post of the Vice President. His second term too was happening with several progressive being brought about in the country’s policies, including the Neutrality Proclamation and the Naval Act of 1794.

Finally, in 1796, Washington retired from office while declining to contest another election for a third consecutive term. His Farewell Address led to the foundation of a future America and the ideal governance that the country should abide by.

The Death of Mr. President

There have been numerous theories to the cause of death of George Washington but it is believed that he died of throat inflammation. His passing away was swift and according to his private secretary, he died on the 14th of December, 1799 with his wife beside him. George Washington’s age was 67 years.