George Washington

by Elvira Woodruff · 1991

George Washington, the first President of the United States and commander of the Continental Army, has been the subject of numerous biographies that explore his military leadership, political acumen, and role in shaping the new nation. This entry consolidates information from award‑winning works such as Ron Chernow’s Pulitzer‑winning "Washington: A Life" and H.W. Brands’s "American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington," as well as a classic 1949 children’s biography by Genevieve Foster. Together they portray Washington’s rise from Virginia planter to revolutionary hero and nation‑builder, highlighting his public service, personal character, and lasting legacy in American history.