 GEORGE WASHINGTONFirst President of the United States
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George Washington became known as "The Father of Our Country". He is an important person in the history of the United States.
George's great-grandfather came from England and became a landowner in America. He owned more than 5,000 acres of land. George's father, Augustine, settled in Westmoreland County, Virginia. This is where George was born to Augustine and his second wife, Mary Ball. They had five more children after George was born.
He only went to school for 7 or 8 years, and his favorite subject was arithmetic.
His father died when he was 11, and he helped his mother take care of the plantation * . He grew very tall; 6 feet and 2 inches, and he liked to show how far he could throw rocks.
When he was sixteen he went to live with his half brother, Lawrence, who had inherited Mount Vernon from their father. Later on George would inherit the estate from Lawrence since Lawrence did not have any surviving children. George married a widow * , Martha Custis. They never had children of their own, but they raised Martha's two children, John Parke Custis, who was called "Jacky", and Martha "Patsy" Custis. Then after Jacky's death in the war, they adopted two of his children, their grandchildren.
Men came to Philadelphia to meet with the First Continental Congress. Washington thought he would be a good man to be general of the army, so he showed up in a uniform he had designed himself. The men agreed he would be the best person for the job.
The people of America wanted to be free of the rule of England and fought for that freedom.
Washington was a good general. At one time Congress could not pay the soldiers and the soldiers started to rebel. The general spoke to them about the need to keep fighting and he said he himself would accept no pay until the war was won. The soldiers began to cry and there was no talk of mutiny * after that day.
Washington at Valley Forge
with LafayetteWashington was always trying to become a better person. He worked to learn how to write neatly so people could read his writing easily. To improve his manners, he copied 110 rules or sayings written by a French priest. One of his favorites was: "When walking with a great man, don't walk right beside him, but somewhat behind. Stay close enough that he may speak easily to you."
The people wanted to make him king, but he thought the country needed a different kind of government. They elected him president in 1789. He received a unanimous * vote by the men who were doing the electing. Every one of them voted for him.
He served for two terms; 8 years, as president. The people wanted him to run for a third term, but he said, "No", and went back to the plantation.
He later returned and became Commander in Chief of the Army.
In 1799 he became ill with a sore throat. The doctors in those days did not know how to treat an illness, and some think their treatment caused his death.
It is said of Washington he was "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen".
A frequent question: "Who wrote this biography and when was it written?" Look on this Reference Citations Chart.
"General George Washington"
listen to a song sung by the Texas Boys Choir
for the bicentennial celebration
George and Martha Washington Portraits
Information about George Washington
(Look in the box top left) at Humanities Web
Martha Washington
family history
Washington Crosses the Delaware
Eye Witness to History
The Death of George Washington
Eye Witness to History
George Washington's
Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior
Was George Washington a Christian?
Christian Answers.net
George Washington Papers
at the Library of Congress
The Life of George Washington
Biography of Washington
from World of Biography
George Washington
at Buzzle.com
Mount Vernon estate and gardens
George Washington Printables
American Revolution at Kid Info
George Washington
American Presidents, Life Portraits
Listen to stories about this president.
The Revolutionary War
video lesson
(Click on the topics "Interactive Media Files", be sure volume is turned up.)
Whitehouse fun facts
At biography.com search for George Washington.
Scroll the panel for the "Video & Audio Results".
George Washington (Beautiful Feet Books)
By Ingri D'Aulaire / Beautiful Feet Books
In "George Washington," the d'Aulaires form a glowing pageant of colonial life in their depiction of our first president. From the little boy George, growing up on a Virginia plantation, through his schooling and his life on the Mount Vernon estate, this book details the experiences which brought Washington to lead the struggling colonies through a revolutionary war to freedom. Young readers will be inspired as they learn how little George Washington grew up to become the "Father of His Country." This oversized book is beautifully illustrated. Recommended for ages 4 to 11.
George Washington Biography FunBook
By Carole Marsh & Sherry Moss(Editor) / Gallopade International
Everyone's favorite way to learn about America's most important citizens! Easy-to-read information, facts, trivia, humor and activities are all included in Biography Funbooks! Ages 7-12. paperback.
George Washington
By Cheryl Harness / Random House, Inc
It has been 200 years since George Washington died, but his story is more important than ever. His sacrifices for his country made him a legend, but who was this complex and valiant man? Cheryl Harness uses her lively writing style and richly detailed watercolors to bring the man behind the monument to life.You'll smell the "hot blood and smoke" as George dodges bullets in the French and Indian War, sense his "purple fury" at soldiers who ran from battle early in the Revolution, shiver as he leads his army across the icy Delaware, and shout "Long live George Washington" as he is sworn in as President of the United States. But you'll see another George, too: A man who loved to dance, listen to his granddaughter play music, and entertain friends at his beloved Mount Vernon.
Love of liberty compelled George Washington to serve his country. Was he always sure he could do the job? Not at all! But he had to try.
Meet George Washington
By Joan Heilbroner / Random House, Inc
George Washington grew up in the English colony of Virginia. He was tall and strong, fair in judgment, and respected by his friends as a good leader. As he grew older, George saw how England took advantage of the American colonies--and he didn't like it. George was chosen to lead their army as its general. And when the colonies won their freedom, George was elected to lead the new nation as its first president.
From Word Central's Student Dictionary
by Merriam - Webster
(Pronunciation note: the schwa sound is shown by ə)
original
Function: adjective
1 : relating to or being the origin or beginning
: FIRST, EARLIEST...
plantation
Pronunciation: plan-'tA-shən
Function: noun
1 : a group of plants and especially trees planted and cared for
2 : a settlement in a new country or region : COLONY
3 : a planted area; especially : an agricultural estate worked by laborers...
widow
Pronunciation: 'wid-O
Function: noun
: a woman who has lost her husband by death
mutiny
Pronunciation: 'myoot-ən-E, 'myoot-nE
Function: noun
: refusal to obey authority; especially : a military outbreak against the officer in charge
synonym see REBELLION - mutiny verb...
unanimous
Pronunciation: yu-'nan-ə-məs
Function: adjective
1 : being of one mind : agreeing completely
the councilors were unanimous in their approval of the report
2 : agreed to by all ...
Page Comments
Most Recent Comments ( See more comments on this page ) 2009-11-04
This page is a great way to learn about George Washington.
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