A biography of George Washington, drawn from George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, and other historical sources.
Overview
George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was an American military leader, statesman, and the first U.S. President, who served from 1789 to 1797. Known as the “Father of His Country,” he led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War. He also presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution.
Early Life and Career
- Birth: Born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington.
- Early Loss: His father died when George was 11, cutting short his formal schooling and leaving him to help manage family farms.
- Surveying: Trained as a land surveyor in his teens, gaining wealth, land, and an understanding of the western frontier.
- Inheritance: Inherited the family’s Mount Vernon estate after the death of his older half-brother Lawrence.
- Marriage: Married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759; they had no children together, though he helped raise her two children.
Military Service
- French and Indian War: Served as a colonial officer, gaining vital combat and leadership experience defending the Virginia frontier.
- Revolutionary War: Appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in 1775.
- Victory: Overcame immense hardships, supply shortages, and troop mutinies to defeat British forces, culminating in the surrender at Yorktown in 1781.
Presidency and Later Years
- First President: Unanimously elected twice by the Electoral College, taking office on April 30, 1789.
- Precedents: Established crucial foundations for the executive branch, including the two-term limit, a neutral foreign policy, and the title “Mr. President”.
- Retirement and Death: Retired to Mount Vernon in 1797 and died there on December 14, 1799, following a severe throat infection.