*Born of relatively average status, but married up (as his
Father had done)
*Was very concerned with obtaining status/prestige
*Led a Virginia militia in the
French and Indian War (mainly in hopes of receiving a commission in the British Army)
*General of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War
*1st president, served two four year terms
*Was addressed as "His Excellency"
*Iconic figure, considered by
men like Jefferson, Adams, Franklin to be the most important Founding
Father
*Was highly revered by contemporaries, and this exalted status helped maintain the United States in its first chaotic years of
government.
*Was more of a Federalist (central
government authority, national bank, standing army) than a Jeffersonian Republican (revolutionary vision of country, agrarian republic, states' rights)
*Wasn't scared of bullets
*Had smallpox at age 19
*His actions in preventing the spread of smallpox in the Continental Army are considered by historians to be his greatest military achievement (as disease was rampant, controlled inoculations saved thousands of
men)
*6'2''
*Very athletic
*Usually seen with his black
friend, both having superb mastery of riding horses.
*Based on cultural attitudes, if present day Americans actually read some of his letters, they would consider him to be something of a Nancy Fancypants
"That in the parlor must, I should think, stand as it does; not so much on account of the wainscotting, which I think must be altered (on account of the
door leading into the new building), as on account of the chimney piece and the manner of its fronting into the room...In
short, I would have the whole executed in a masterly manner."
--George Washington, letter to Mt. Vernon, Sept. 30, 1776 (a few days before the British landing at Throg'
s Neck in NY)
