George Washington: Biography
George Washington was born in Virginia on Feb. 22, 1732 to
Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington. George
spent his early years on the family estate on Pope's Creek along the
Potomac River. His early education came by way of studying mathematics,
surveying, the classics, and "rules of civility." His father died in 1743.
This caused George to live with his half brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon,
Lawrence's plantation on the Potomac. Lawrence became a substitute father
for his brother, he'd married into the Fairfax family, prominent and
influential Virginians who helped launch George's career. George wanted to
go to sea, however, he was discouraged by his mother; ...
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by Gov. Robert Dinwiddie to warn the French commander at Fort Le
Boeuf against further encroachment on territory claimed by Britain.
Washington at the age of 22, was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Although
he lacked experience, he learned quickly, and dealt with the problems of
recruitment, supply, and desertions. This helped him earn respect from his
superiors.
In April 1754, on his way to establish a post at the Forks of the
Ohio (the current site of Pittsburgh), Washington learned that the French
hadalready erected a fort there. Warned that the French were advancing, he
quickly threw up fortifications at Great Meadows, Pa., and named it, Fort
Necessity. Then he marched to intercept advancing French troops. In the
resulting skirmish the French commander the sieur de Jumonville was killed
and most of his men were captured. Washington pulled his small force back
into Fort Necessity, where on July 3 he was overwhelmed by the French in an
all-day battle fought in the rain. ...
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friends, he entered
politics, serving in Virginia's House of Burgesses from 1759 to 1774. In
January 1759 he married Marth Dandridge Curtis, a wealthy and attractive
young widow with two small children.
After 1769, Washington became a leader in Virginia's opposition to
Great Britain's colonial policies. At first he hoped for reconciliation
with Britain, although some British policies had touched him personally.
Discrimination against colonial military officers had grown, and British
land policies and restrictions on western expansion after 1763 had
seriously hindered Washington's plans for western land speculation. In
addition, he shared the usual planter's dilemma in being ...
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George Washington: Biography. (2008, September 18). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/George-Washington-Biography/90102
"George Washington: Biography." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 18 Sep. 2008. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/George-Washington-Biography/90102>
"George Washington: Biography." Essayworld.com. September 18, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/George-Washington-Biography/90102.
"George Washington: Biography." Essayworld.com. September 18, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/George-Washington-Biography/90102.
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