Easton Press George Washington books
George Washington a Biography by John Alden - 1993
Washington by Douglas Southall Freeman - 1995
George Washington 4 volume set by James Thomas Flexner including:
The Forge Experience 1732-1775
In the American Revolution 1775-1783
And the New Nation 1783-1793
Anguish and Farewell 1793-1799
President George Washington biography
George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) led the Continental Army to victory over the Kingdom of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) and served as the first President of the United States of America (1789–1797).
The Continental Congress appointed Washington commander-in-chief of the American revolutionary forces in 1775. The following year, he forced the British out of Boston, lost New York City, and crossed the Delaware River in New Jersey, defeating the surprised enemy units later that year. As a result of his strategy, Revolutionary forces captured the two main British combat armies at Saratoga and Yorktown. Negotiating with Congress, the colonial states, and French allies, he held together a tenuous army and a fragile nation amid the threats of disintegration and failure. Following the end of the war in 1783, Washington returned to private life and retired to his plantation at Mount Vernon, prompting an incredulous King George III to state, "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."
He presided over the Philadelphia Convention that drafted the United States Constitution in 1787 because of general dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation. Washington became President of the United States in 1789 and established many of the customs and usages of the new government's executive department. He sought to create a great nation capable of surviving in a world torn asunder by war between Britain and France. His unilateral Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 provided a basis for avoiding any involvement in foreign conflicts. He supported plans to build a strong central government by funding the national debt, implementing an effective tax system, and creating a national bank. Washington avoided the temptation of war and began a decade of peace with Britain via the Jay Treaty in 1795; he used his prestige to get it ratified over intense opposition from the Jeffersonians. Although never officially joining the Federalist Party, he supported its programs and was its inspirational leader. Washington's farewell address was a primer on republican virtue and a stern warning against partisanship, sectionalism, and involvement in foreign wars.
Washington is seen as a symbol of the United States and republicanism in practice. His devotion to civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians.
Washington was awarded the very first Congressional Gold Medal with the Thanks of Congress.
Washington died in 1799, and the funeral oration delivered by Henry Lee stated that of all Americans, he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Washington has been consistently ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents.
Early life
George Washington was born on February 22 1732 the first son of Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington, on the family's Pope's Creek Estate near present-day Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Moving to Ferry Farm in Stafford County at age six, he was educated in the home by his father and older brother.
In his youth, Washington worked as a surveyor, and acquired what would become invaluable knowledge of the terrain around his native Colony of Virginia. Washington embarked upon a career as a planter and in 1748 was invited to help survey Baron Fairfax's lands west of the Blue Ridge. In 1749, he was appointed to his first public office, surveyor of newly created Culpeper County, and through his half-brother, Lawrence Washington, he became interested in the Ohio Company, which aimed to exploit Western lands. In 1751, George and his half-brother traveled to Barbados, staying at Bush Hill House,[14] hoping for an improvement in Lawrence's tuberculosis. This was the only time George Washington traveled outside what is now the United States. After Lawrence's death in 1752, George inherited part of his estate and took over some of Lawrence's duties as adjutant of the colony.
Washington was appointed a district adjutant general in the Virginia militia in 1752, which made him Major Washington at the age of 20. He was charged with training the militia in the quarter assigned to him. At age 21, in Fredericksburg, Washington became a Master Mason in the organization of Freemasons, a fraternal organization that was a lifelong influence.
In December 1753, Washington was asked by Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia to carry a British ultimatum to the French on the Ohio frontier. Washington assessed French military strength and intentions, and delivered the message to the French at Fort Le Boeuf in present day Waterford, Pennsylvania. The message, which went unheeded, called for the French to abandon their development of the Ohio country, setting in motion two colonial powers toward worldwide conflict. Washington's report on the affair was widely read on both sides of the Atlantic.
Pre Revolution
In 1754, Dinwiddie commissioned Washington a lieutenant colonel and ordered him to lead an expedition to Fort Duquesne to drive out the French. With his American Indian allies led by Tanacharison, Washington and his troops ambushed a French scouting party of some 30 men, led by Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. Washington and his troops were overwhelmed at Fort Necessity by a larger and better positioned French and Indian force. The terms of surrender included a statement that Washington had assassinated Jumonville after the ambush. Washington could not read French, and, unaware of what it said, signed his name. Released by the French, Washington returned to Virginia, where he was cleared of blame for the defeat, but resigned because he did not like the new arrangement of the Virginia Militia.
In 1755, Washington was an aide to British General Edward Braddock on the ill-fated Monongahela expedition. This was a major effort to retake the Ohio Country. While Braddock was killed and the expedition ended in disaster, Washington distinguished himself as the Hero of the Monongahela. While Washington's role during the battle has been debated, biographer Joseph Ellis asserts that Washington rode back and forth across the battlefield, rallying the remnant of the British and Virginian forces to a retreat. Subsequent to this action, Washington was given a difficult frontier command in the Virginia mountains, and was rewarded by being promoted to colonel and named commander of all Virginia forces.
In 1758, Washington participated as a brigadier general in the Forbes expedition that prompted French evacuation of Fort Duquesne, and British establishment of Pittsburgh. Later that year, Washington resigned from active military service and spent the next sixteen years as a Virginia planter and politician.
On January 6, 1759, Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, although surviving letters suggest that he was in love with Sally Fairfax, the wife of a friend, at the time. Some historians believe George and Martha were related. Nevertheless, George and Martha had a good marriage, and together raised her two children from her previous marriage, John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis, affectionately called "Jackie" and "Patsy". Later the Washingtons raised two of Mrs. Washington's grandchildren, Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis. George and Martha never had any children together—his earlier bout with smallpox followed, possibly, by tuberculosis may have made him sterile. The newlywed couple moved to Mount Vernon, where he took up the life of a genteel planter and political figure.
Washington's marriage to Martha, a wealthy widow, greatly increased his property holdings and social standing. He acquired one-third of the 18,000 acre (73 km²) Custis estate upon his marriage, and managed the remainder on behalf of Martha's children. He frequently purchased additional area in his own name, and was granted land in what is now West Virginia as a bounty for his service in the French and Indian War. By 1775, Washington had doubled the size of Mount Vernon to 6,500 acres (26 km2), and had increased the slave population there to more than 100 persons. As a respected military hero and large landowner, he held local office and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, the House of Burgesses, beginning in 1758.
Washington lived an aristocratic lifestyle—fox hunting was a favorite leisure activity. Like most Virginia planters, he imported luxuries and other goods from England and paid for them by exporting his tobacco crop. Extravagant spending and the unpredictability of the tobacco market meant that many Virginia planters of Washington's day were losing money. (Thomas Jefferson, for example, would die deep in debt.) Washington began to pull himself out of debt by diversification. By 1766, he had switched Mount Vernon's primary cash crop from tobacco to wheat—a crop which could be sold in America—and diversified operations to include flour milling, fishing, horse breeding, spinning, and weaving. Patsy Custis's tragic death in 1773 during an epileptic seizure enabled Washington to finally pay off his British creditors, since half of her inheritance passed to him.
During these years, Washington concentrated on his business activities and remained somewhat aloof from politics. Although he expressed opposition to the 1765 Stamp Act, the first direct tax on the colonies, he did not take a leading role in the growing colonial resistance until after protests of the Townshend Acts (enacted in 1767) had become widespread. In May 1769, Washington introduced a proposal drafted by his friend George Mason which called for Virginia to boycott English goods until the Acts were repealed. Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts in 1770, and, for Washington at least, the crisis had passed. However, Washington regarded the passage of the Intolerable Acts in 1774 as "an Invasion of our Rights and Privileges". In July 1774, he chaired the meeting at which the Fairfax Resolves were adopted, which called for, among other things, the convening of a Continental Congress. In August, he attended the First Virginia Convention, where he was selected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress.
American Revolution
After fighting broke out in April 1775, Washington appeared at the Second Continental Congress in military uniform, signaling that he was prepared for war. Washington had the prestige, the military experience, the charisma and military bearing, the reputation of being a strong patriot, and he was supported by the South, especially Virginia. Although he did not explicitly seek the office of commander and even claimed that he was not equal to it, there was no serious competition. Congress created the Continental Army on June 14, 1775; the next day, on the nomination of John Adams of Massachusetts, Washington was appointed Major General and elected by Congress to be Commander-in-chief.
Washington assumed command of the Continental Army in the field at Cambridge, Massachusetts in July 1775, during the ongoing siege of Boston. Realizing his army's desperate shortage of gunpowder, Washington asked for new sources. British arsenals were raided (including some in the Caribbean) and some manufacturing was attempted; a barely adequate supply (about 2.5 million pounds) was obtained by the end of 1776, mostly from France. Washington reorganized the army during the long standoff, and forced the British to withdraw by putting artillery on Dorchester Heights overlooking the city. The British evacuated Boston and Washington moved his army to New York City.
Although negative toward the patriots in the Continental Congress, British newspapers routinely praised Washington's personal character and qualities as a military commander. Moreover, both sides of the aisle in Parliament found the American general's courage, endurance, and attentiveness to the welfare of his troops worthy of approbation and examples of the virtues they and most other Britons found wanting in their own commanders. Washington's refusal to become involved in politics buttressed his reputation as a man fully committed to the military mission at hand and above the factional fray.
In August 1776, British General William Howe launched a massive naval and land campaign designed to seize New York and offer a negotiated settlement. The Continental Army under Washington engaged the enemy for the first time as an army of the newly declared independent United States at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the entire war. This and several other British victories sent Washington scrambling out of New York and across New Jersey, leaving the future of the Continental Army in doubt. On the night of December 25, 1776, Washington staged a counterattack, leading the American forces across the Delaware River to capture nearly 1,000 Hessians in Trenton, New Jersey. Washington followed up his victory at Trenton with another one at Princeton in early January. These winter victories quickly raised the morale of the army, secured Washington's position as Commander, and inspired young men to join the army.
British forces defeated Washington's troops in the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. Howe outmaneuvered Washington and marched into Philadelphia unopposed on September 26. Washington's army unsuccessfully attacked the British garrison at Germantown in early October. Meanwhile, Burgoyne, out of reach from help from Howe, was trapped and forced to surrender his entire army at Saratoga, New York. France responded to Burgoyne's defeat by entering the war, openly allying with America and turning the Revolutionary War into a major worldwide war. Washington's loss of Philadelphia prompted some members of Congress to discuss removing Washington from command. This attempt failed after Washington's supporters rallied behind him.
Washington's army camped at Valley Forge in December 1777, staying there for the next six months. Over the winter, 2,500 men of the 10,000-strong force died from disease and exposure. The next spring, however, the army emerged from Valley Forge in good order, thanks in part to a full-scale training program supervised by Baron von Steuben, a veteran of the Prussian general staff. The British evacuated Philadelphia to New York in 1778 but Washington attacked them at Monmouth and drove them from the battlefield. Afterwards, the British continued to head towards New York. Washington moved his army outside of New York, and in the summer of 1779, at Washington's direction, General John Sullivan carried out a decisive scorched earth campaign that destroyed at least forty Iroquois villages throughout what is now upstate New York in retaliation for Iroquois and Tory attacks against American settlements earlier in the war. Washington delivered the final blow in 1781, after a French naval victory allowed American and French forces to trap a British army in Virginia. The surrender at Yorktown on October 17, 1781 marked the end of most fighting. Though known for his successes in the war and of his life that followed, Washington suffered many defeats before achieving victory.
In March 1783, Washington used his influence to disperse a group of Army officers who had threatened to confront Congress regarding their back pay. The Treaty of Paris (signed that September) recognized the independence of the United States. Washington disbanded his army and, on November 2, gave an eloquent farewell address to his soldiers. On November 25, the British evacuated New York City, and Washington and the governor took possession. At Fraunces Tavern on December 4, Washington formally bade his officers farewell and on December 23, 1783, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief, emulating the Roman general Cincinnatus, an exemplar of the republican ideal of citizen leadership who rejected power. During this period, the United States was governed under the Articles of Confederation without a President, the forerunner to the Constitution.
Washington's retirement to Mount Vernon was short-lived. He made an exploratory trip to the western frontier in 1784, was persuaded to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, and was unanimously elected president of the Convention. He participated little in the debates involved (though he did vote for or against the various articles), but his high prestige maintained collegiality and kept the delegates at their labors. The delegates designed the presidency with Washington in mind, and allowed him to define the office once elected. After the Convention, his support convinced many, including the Virginia legislature, to vote for ratification; the new Constitution was ratified by all 13 states.
Presidency: 1789–1797
The Electoral College elected Washington unanimously in 1789, and again in the 1792 election; he remains the only president to receive 100% of the electoral votes. John Adams was elected vice president. Washington took the oath of office as the first President under the Constitution for the United States of America on April 30, 1789 at Federal Hall in New York City although, at first, he had not wanted the position.
The 1st United States Congress voted to pay Washington a salary of $25,000 a year—a large sum in 1789. Washington, already wealthy, declined the salary, since he valued his image as a selfless public servant. At the urging of Congress, however, he ultimately accepted the payment, to avoid setting a precedent whereby the presidency would be perceived as limited only to independently wealthy individuals who could serve without any salary. Washington attended carefully to the pomp and ceremony of office, making sure that the titles and trappings were suitably republican and never emulated European royal courts. To that end, he preferred the title "Mr. President" to the more majestic names suggested.
Washington proved an able administrator. An excellent delegator and judge of talent and character, he held regular cabinet meetings to debate issues before making a final decision. In handling routine tasks, he was "systematic, orderly, energetic, solicitous of the opinion of others but decisive, intent upon general goals and the consistency of particular actions with them."
Washington reluctantly served a second term as president. He refused to run for a third, establishing the customary policy of a maximum of two terms for a president which later became law by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
Washington's Farewell Address (issued as a public letter in 1796) was one of the most influential statements of American political values. Drafted primarily by Washington himself, with help from Hamilton, it gives advice on the necessity and importance of national union, the value of the Constitution and the rule of law, the evils of political parties, and the proper virtues of a republican people. While he declined suggested versions that would have included statements that there could be no morality without religion, he called morality "a necessary spring of popular government". He said, "Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
Washington's public political address warned against foreign influence in domestic affairs and American meddling in European affairs. He warned against bitter partisanship in domestic politics and called for men to move beyond partisanship and serve the common good. He warned against 'permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world' ", saying the United States must concentrate primarily on American interests. He counseled friendship and commerce with all nations, but warned against involvement in European wars and entering into long-term "entangling" alliances. The address quickly set American values regarding religion and foreign affairs.
Retirement and death
After retiring from the presidency in March 1797, Washington returned to Mount Vernon with a profound sense of relief. He devoted much time to farming.
On July 13, 1798, Washington was appointed by President John Adams to be Lieutenant General and Commander-in-chief of all armies raised or to be raised for service in a prospective war with France. He served as the senior officer of the United States Army between July 13, 1798 and December 14, 1799. He participated in the planning for a Provisional Army to meet any emergency that might arise, but did not take the field.
On December 12, 1799, Washington spent several hours inspecting his farms on horseback, in snow and later hail and freezing rain. He sat down to dine that evening without changing his wet clothes. The next morning, he awoke with a bad cold, fever, and a throat infection called quinsy that turned into acute laryngitis and pneumonia. Washington died on the evening of December 14, 1799, at his home aged 67, while attended by Dr. James Craik, one of his closest friends, and Tobias Lear V, Washington's personal secretary. Lear would record the account in his journal, writing that Washington's last words were "'Tis well."
Modern doctors believe that Washington died largely because of his treatment, which included calomel and bloodletting, resulting in a combination of shock from the loss of five pints of blood, as well as asphyxia and dehydration. Washington's remains were buried at Mount Vernon. To protect their privacy, Martha Washington burned the correspondence between her husband and herself following his death. Only three letters between the couple have survived.
Following his death, the American Army wore black armbands for six months, and Napoleon ordered ten days of mourning throughout France.
During the United States Bicentennial year, George Washington was posthumously appointed to the grade of General of the Armies of The United States by the congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 of January 19, 1976, approved by President Gerald Ford on October 11, 1976, and formalized in Department of the Army Order Number 31-3 of March 13, 1978 with an effective appointment date of July 4, 1976. This restored Washington's position as the highest ranking military officer in U.S. history, which had been undone when General John J. Pershing was made General of the Armies at the end of World War I.
George Washington biography by John Richard Alden
George Washington by John Richard Alden is a captivating biography that offers readers a comprehensive look at the life and legacy of America's first President. With meticulous research and engaging prose, Alden brings to life the remarkable journey of George Washington from his humble beginnings to his pivotal role in shaping the nation's destiny. From his early years as a surveyor and soldier to his leadership during the Revolutionary War and his presidency, Alden provides a nuanced portrait of Washington's character, virtues, and accomplishments. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, including Washington's own writings, Alden offers fresh insights into the man behind the legend, illuminating his struggles, triumphs, and enduring influence on American history. With its blend of scholarship and storytelling, "George Washington" is a compelling biography that will captivate both scholars and general readers alike, offering a deeper understanding of the man who helped lay the foundation for the United States of America.
George Washington by Douglas Southall Freeman
George Washington by Douglas Southall Freeman is a definitive biography that stands as a timeless tribute to the life and legacy of America's founding father. Renowned historian Freeman meticulously chronicles every aspect of Washington's remarkable journey, from his formative years in Virginia to his pivotal role in leading the nation to independence and serving as its first President. With unparalleled depth and insight, Freeman delves into Washington's character, his military genius, and his unwavering commitment to the ideals of liberty and democracy. Drawing on extensive research and a wealth of primary sources, including Washington's own writings, Freeman paints a vivid portrait of a man who transcended his era to become an enduring symbol of leadership and integrity. "George Washington" is an indispensable work that offers readers a profound understanding of the man behind the legend and his enduring impact on the course of American history.
The Forge of Experience, 1732-1775
The Forge of Experience, 1732-1775 is the first volume in the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography series of George Washington, written by James Thomas Flexner. Published in 1965, this comprehensive work delves into the formative years of America's founding father, chronicling Washington's upbringing, early experiences, and the events that shaped his character and leadership abilities. Flexner's meticulous research and engaging narrative style offer readers a vivid portrayal of Washington's youth, from his upbringing in colonial Virginia to his ventures into surveying, military service, and public life. Through detailed accounts and insightful analysis, Flexner illuminates the social, political, and cultural milieu of 18th-century America, providing valuable context for understanding Washington's development as a leader.
Central to The Forge of Experience is Flexner's exploration of Washington's military career during the French and Indian War, where he gained invaluable experience and earned recognition for his bravery and tactical skills. Flexner highlights the challenges and triumphs that Washington faced during this formative period, revealing the qualities of resilience, determination, and strategic thinking that would define his leadership during the Revolutionary War.
Beyond his military exploits, Flexner delves into Washington's personal life, relationships, and evolving political consciousness, offering readers a nuanced portrait of the man behind the legend. From his marriage to Martha Custis to his growing involvement in colonial politics, Flexner traces Washington's journey from a young Virginia planter to a seasoned statesman poised to lead the fledgling nation. The Forge of Experience, 1732-1775 stands as a masterful biography that lays the groundwork for understanding George Washington's enduring significance in American history. Flexner's meticulous research, rich storytelling, and insightful analysis make this volume an indispensable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the life and legacy of America's first President.
George Washington in the American Revolution, 1775-1783
George Washington in the American Revolution, 1775-1783 is a compelling and authoritative account of America's foremost founding father during one of the nation's most pivotal periods. Authored by James Thomas Flexner, this volume meticulously chronicles Washington's leadership and strategic brilliance as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Published in 1968 as part of Flexner's acclaimed biography series on Washington, this work delves into the complexities of the Revolutionary War and Washington's indispensable role in securing American independence. From the early battles of Lexington and Concord to the decisive victory at Yorktown, Flexner provides a gripping narrative that captures the challenges, triumphs, and sacrifices of the Continental Army under Washington's command.
Through extensive research and vivid storytelling, Flexner offers readers unparalleled insights into Washington's military tactics, personal struggles, and unwavering commitment to the cause of liberty. From the harsh winter at Valley Forge to the daring crossing of the Delaware River, Flexner vividly portrays Washington's leadership under pressure, revealing the depth of his character and the resilience of his spirit. George Washington in the American Revolution, 1775-1783 is more than just a military history; it is a testament to the enduring legacy of a visionary leader who guided a fledgling nation through the trials of war to the triumph of independence. With its meticulous attention to detail and richly drawn portraits of the men and women who shaped the course of history, this volume is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the remarkable story of America's founding.
George Washington and the New Nation, 1783-1793
George Washington and the New Nation, 1783-1793 is a captivating exploration of America's first President during the critical years following the Revolutionary War. Authored by James Thomas Flexner, this compelling volume offers readers a detailed and insightful account of Washington's leadership as he guided the young republic through its formative years. Published in 1970 as part of Flexner's acclaimed biography series on Washington, this work delves into the challenges and triumphs of the early American experiment in self-government. From the establishment of the federal government to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, Flexner provides a richly textured narrative that brings to life the political, social, and economic realities of the era.
Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Flexner offers readers a nuanced portrait of Washington's presidency, revealing his efforts to balance competing interests, forge national unity, and uphold the principles of liberty and justice. From his struggles to quell internal dissent to his diplomacy with foreign powers, Flexner paints a compelling picture of Washington as a visionary leader navigating the complexities of a new and uncertain world.
George Washington and the New Nation, 1783-1793 is more than just a biography; it is a sweeping saga of a nation in the making, with Washington at its helm. With its blend of historical insight, narrative flair, and rich character portraits, this volume is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the profound impact of Washington's leadership on the course of American history.
Anguish and Farewell, 1793-1799
George Washington: Anguish and Farewell, 1793-1799 delves into the twilight years of America's revered founding father. As the fledgling nation grapples with internal strife and external pressures, Washington navigates the tumultuous waters of political turmoil and personal loss. Amidst the backdrop of a changing America, this poignant account explores Washington's struggles, sacrifices, and the weight of his farewell to power, painting a vivid portrait of a leader torn between duty and desire for a nation's future. With meticulous detail and rich narrative, this book offers a compelling insight into the heart and mind of a legendary figure as he bids farewell to the presidency, leaving an indelible mark on history.
George Washington quotes
"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."
"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."
"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."
"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."
"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."
"Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected."
"The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph."
"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all."
"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."