Biography
George Washington America’s revolutionary commander in
chief, and the first president of USA (1789-1797), was born on Feb. 22, 1732 at
Bridges Creek, later known as Wakefield in the Westmoreland Country, Va.George
Washington (often spelt as Gorge Wasington) was born in a wealthy family and had
a private education. Though he didn’t have any formal schooling, his early
notebook suggest that he read military history, geography, agriculture,
composition and also had some aptitude towards surveying and mathematics.His
father Augustine Washington died when George was only eleven. Washington was
appointed the official surveyor for Culpeper Co., in 1749. In 1752, Washington
inherited the property of his half brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon, after his
death. His experience in the frontier helped for his appointment as major in the
Virginia militia, in December1752 at the age of 20.
Washington figured a very important role in the struggles
preceding the outbreak of French and Indian wars in America. Commissioned as
lieutenant colonel by Gov. Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia, Washington sent about
400 men to reinforce the post built at the junction of the Allegheny and
Monongahela rivers, as per order of Dinwiddie. The post however was captured by
French before he could reach it. Learning that French were approaching,
Washington came back to the Great Meadows and built an entrenched camp named
Fort Necessity.After suffering a defeat in the hands of Washington, the French
cam back strongly and overwhelmed Washington at Fort Necessity on July 3, 1754.
After surrendering, Washington departed to Virginia with remnants of his
company.
Washington narrowly escaped death, while fighting gallantly as an
aide to Edward Braddock, against French force at Fort Duquesne in 1755. He was
appointed commander in chief of the Virginia militia to defend the frontier,
after this debacle. He resigned his commission in 1758, after his election to
the Virginia House of Burgesses (1759–74). Washington married Martha
Dandridge Custis, a rich young widow with a large estate in 1759. This made him
one of the wealthiest men in Virginia.
After the American Revolution broke out at Concord and Lexington,
Washington was named (June 15, 1775) commander in chief of the Continental
forces. He made a brilliant strategic move to occupy Dorchester Heights, and
forced the British to evacuate Boston on Mar. 17, 1776. Part of his success can
be attributed to his innovative hit and run tactics of guerilla warfare which
foiled British armies who were used to close line-formation of warfare. His
victory over the British at Yorktown in 1781 practically ended the war. He
retired from the army in1783 and returned to Mount Vernon.
Washington maintained his presence in the controversy over the
country's future. He along with other nationalists from Virginia was
instrumental to bring about the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in
Philadelphia. His attendance in the Constitutional Convention and support for
the ratification of the constitution were important for its success in the state
conventions in 1787 and 1788. On February4, 1789 George Washing was unanimously
elected the first president of USA by all 69 presidential electors.
A natural leader, Washington had great difficulty in coping with
an unruly new government. Eager to establish the new national
executive above partisanship, he chose men from all factions for the
administrative departments. He was re-elected as president in 1793.
In 1796, Washington announced his inability to run again and
retired from his offices next year. When war with France seemed imminent (1798),
he was offered command of the army. However, the war was averted. He died on
Dec. 14, 1799, and was buried on his estate. The death of George Washington was
mourned all over the world. |
