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George Washington

Overview

George Washington (February 22, 1732 to December 14, 1799) was the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and established many important precedents for the national government and presidency.

Legacy

In surveys of U.S. scholars ranking presidents since 1948, the top three presidents are generally Lincoln, George Washington, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, although the order varies. Washington is consistently ranked among the top three presidents in both academic and public opinion polls. His leadership during the Revolutionary War, role in founding the republic, and establishment of key presidential precedents have earned him the informal title “Father of His Country.”