George Washington Biography

Birth details of George Washington

Born in Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County in Virginia on 22nd Feb 1732, George Washington was the eldest son of Augustine Washington and his second wife Mary Ball Washington.

Personal Biography of George Washington

Home schooled by his father along with his older half-brother Lawrence, Washington received no formal education. He worked as a surveyor, then as a planter in 1748. After Lawrence’s death at the age of 20, Washington took over as assistant officer and was made Major Washington. He married a wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759 .They never had children of their own, together raised Daniel Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, from Martha’s previous marriage.

Career of George Washington

George Washington’s name will always feature first in the list of Presidents of America. Washington scripted history with his victory in the American Revolutionary War against the Kingdom of Great Britain. His timely intervention saved the nation from collapsing during the most crucial period. Serving as commander-in-chief, he was invited to attend the Constitutional convention in Philadelphia. The American Constitution came into existence with Washington being chosen as the First President of the United States.

With a landslide victory of 100 electoral votes, Washington took his oath under the American Constitution on 30 April 1789 as first president of United States. Refusing to accept any salary, he was an exemplary administrator, judge, respecting the opinion of his delegates before making major decisions. His dedication paved the way for his second successive term. Washington drafted his farewell speech in 1796, a letter carrying advice of unity and morality. He felt it was mandatory to maintain   friendly ties between America and all other nations.  

Washington died on 14 December 1799 of pneumonia. As a sign of grief, the American Army wore black bands for the next six months. France had gone into mourning for ten days under Napolean’s rule. Following his death, the Britain Royal Navy lowered its flag at half mast.

Achievements of George Washington

Drafting the American Constitution in 1787, building a central government, establishing a national bank system, implementation of an effective tax system, Washington had donned many hats. He was the pioneer who broke new ground by adopting the foreign policy of ‘neutrality’ in 1773.
 Washington established the national banking system along with the tax system in the U.S.

During his tenure as president, the first ten Justice of the Supreme Court were appointed

Setting a trend of no-interference policy, in terms of domestic affairs, it was adapted and followed by other states.

George Washington Quotes

“A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.”
- George Washington Quotes

“Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”
- George Washington Quotes

“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.”
- George Washington Quotes

“Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession”
- George Washington Quotes

“Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth.”
- George Washington Quotes

“Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.”
- George Washington Quotes

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism”
- George Washington Quotes

“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”
- George Washington Quotes

“I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery”
- George Washington Quotes

“I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an "Honest Man."”
- George Washington Quotes

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
- George Washington Quotes

“It is better to be alone than in bad company.”
- George Washington Quotes

“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”
- George Washington Quotes

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”
- George Washington Quotes

“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world”
- George Washington Quotes

“Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals”
- George Washington Quotes

“Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.”
- George Washington Quotes

“Mankind when left to themselves, are unfit for their own Government”
- George Washington Quotes

“My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.”
- George Washington Quotes

“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.”
- George Washington Quotes

“Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another”
- George Washington Quotes

“Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe”
- George Washington Quotes

“The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government”
- George Washington Quotes

“The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government”
- George Washington Quotes

“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon”
- George Washington Quotes

“The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion”
- George Washington Quotes

“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained”
- George Washington Quotes

“The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good.”
- George Washington Quotes

“To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace”
- George Washington Quotes

“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light”
- George Washington Quotes

“War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.”
- George Washington Quotes

“We ought not to look back, unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors and for the purpose of profiting by dear bought experience”
- George Washington Quotes

“When firearms go, all goes. We need them every hour.”
- George Washington Quotes