George Washington
Gilbert Stuart Williamstown Portrait of George Washington.jpg
Portrait based on the unfinished Athenaeum Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1796
1st President of the United States
In office
April 30, 1789[a] – March 4, 1797
Vice President John Adams
Preceded by Office established
Succeeded by John Adams
7th Senior Officer of the United States Army
In office
July 13, 1798 – December 14, 1799
President John Adams
Preceded by James Wilkinson
Succeeded by Alexander Hamilton
Commander in Chief of the Continental Army
In office
June 19, 1775[2] – December 23, 1783
Appointed by Continental Congress
Preceded by Office established
Succeeded by Henry Knox (as Senior Officer)
Delegate from Virginia
to the Continental Congress
In office
September 5, 1774 – June 16, 1775
Preceded by Office established
Succeeded by Thomas Jefferson
Member of the
Virginia House of Burgesses
In office
July 24, 1758[3][4] – June 24, 1775[5]
Preceded by Hugh West[6][7]
Succeeded by Office abolished
Constituency Frederick County (1758-1765)
Fairfax County (1765-1775)[5]
Personal details
Born February 22, 1732
Popes Creek, Virginia, British America
Died December 14, 1799 (aged 67)
Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S.
Cause of death Epiglottitis
Resting place Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S.
38°42′28.4″N 77°05′09.9″W
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) Martha Dandridge
​
(m. 1759)
Children John Parke Custis (adopted)
Parents Augustine Washington
Mary Ball Washington
Relatives Washington family
Residence Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S.
Awards Congressional Gold Medal
Thanks of Congress[8]
Signature Cursive signature in ink
Military service
Allegiance Great Britain
United States
Branch/service Colonial militia
Virginia Regiment
Continental Army
United States Army
Years of service 1752–1758 (Colonial forces)
1775–1783 (Continental Army)
1798–1799 (U.S. Army)
Rank Colonel (Colonial forces)
General and Commander in Chief (Continental Army)
Lieutenant General (U.S. Army)
General of the Armies (promoted posthumously in 1976 by Congress)
Commands Virginia Regiment
Continental Army
United States Army
Battles/wars French and Indian War
• Battle of Jumonville Glen
• Battle of Fort Necessity
• Braddock Expedition
• Battle of the Monongahela
• Forbes Expedition
American Revolutionary War
• Boston campaign
• New York and New Jersey campaign
• Philadelphia campaign
• Yorktown campaign
Northwest Indian War
Whiskey Rebellion
George Washington 1795.jpg
This article is part of
a series about
George Washington
Early life Family Military career Electoral history
American Revolution
Commander in Chief
of the Continental Army
Valley Forge Battle of Trenton Mount Vernon Conference 1787 Constitutional Convention
President of the United States
Presidency
First term
1788–89 election 1st inauguration
Judiciary Act Whiskey Rebellion
Thanksgiving Presidential title Coinage Act Residence Act District of Columbia
Second term
1792 election 2nd inauguration Neutrality Act Jay Treaty Judicial appointments Farewell Address
Legacy
Legacy Monuments Depictions Slavery Papers Library Bibliography

6 Star.svgCoat of Arms of George Washington.svg
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George Washington (February 22, 1732 (N.S.)[b] – December 14, 1799) was an American political leader, military general, statesman, and founding father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Previously, he led Patriot forces to victory in the nation's War for Independence. He presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which established the U.S. Constitution and a federal government. Washington has been called the "Father of His Country" for his manifold leadership in the formative days of the new nation.

Washington received his initial military training and command with the Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War. He was later elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses and was named a delegate to the Continental Congress, where he was appointed Commanding General of the Continental Army. He commanded American forces, allied with France, in the defeat and surrender of the British during the Siege of Yorktown. He resigned his commission after the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Washington played a key role in adopting and ratifying the Constitution and was then elected president (twice) by the Electoral College. He implemented a strong, well-financed national government while remaining impartial in a fierce rivalry between cabinet members Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. During the French Revolution, he proclaimed a policy of neutrality while sanctioning the Jay Treaty. He set enduring precedents for the office of president, including the title "Mr. President", and his Farewell Address is widely regarded as a pre-eminent statement on republicanism.

Washington owned slaves, and, in order to preserve national unity, he supported measures passed by Congress to protect slavery. He later became troubled with the institution of slavery and freed his slaves in a 1799 will. He endeavored to assimilate Native Americans into Anglo-American culture but combated indigenous resistance during occasions of violent conflict. He was a member of the Anglican Church and the Freemasons, and he urged broad religious freedom in his roles as general and president. Upon his death, he was eulogized as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen". He has been memorialized by monuments, art, geographical locations, stamps, and currency, and many scholars and polls rank him among the greatest U.S. presidents.