A Virginian born and raised, George Washington grew up on a plantation as the eldest of six children of a planter. Few details are known about his early life, but one of the most impactful events of his childhood was having his father die at the age of 11. At that time, he likely supported his mother, Mary, in managing the plantation. 

His hopes of entering higher education ended when his father died due to finances. Instead, Washington was likely taught by a private tutor and learned much under the tutelage of his older half-brother, Lawrence. With a propensity toward mathematics, he got into a career as a surveyor at the age of 16. His successful surveying expeditions of Virginia, directed by the powerful and wealthy Thomas, Lord Fairfax, earned him enough money to begin acquiring land of his own. In 1752, his beloved brother died, and Washington leased his plantation from Lawrence’s widow, now known as Mount Vernon. Following in his brother’s footsteps, he sought a military commission, and this is where his military leadership began.  
 
In December of 1752, Washington was made a commander of the Virginia militia despite having no previous military experience. He led and saw action during the French and Indian War and was eventually in charge of all of Virginia’s militia forces due to his bravery and successes. In 1759, he resigned his commission, returned to Mount Vernon, and married Martha Dandridge Custis, a wealthy widow with two children. He became a devoted stepfather, but unfortunately, he and Martha never had children of their own. From 1759 to the outbreak of the American Revolution, Washington managed and expanded his lands and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses.  
 
Taxes and regulations imposed by England left Washington and many other colonists feeling exploited and hampered. As the quarrel with the mother country grew, he firmly yet moderately voiced his resistance to the restrictions. Washington became known as a trustworthy, level-headed, and bold leader among his colleagues. His influence got him promoted as one of the Virginia delegates in the Second Continental Congress when they assembled in Philadelphia in 1775, during which, he ultimately was elected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, he took command of his poorly trained troops and embarked upon a war that lasted six grueling years. 
 
Washington proved to be a better general than a military strategist, with his strength lying in keeping the struggling colonial army together. Despite a lack of training, food, ammunition, and other important supplies, such as shoes during winter, Washington was able to provide them with direction and motivation. His leadership during the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge was a testament to his power to inspire his men to keep going (an exercise in courage for all of them).  
 
In October 1781, with the aid of the French, the Continental forces were able to capture British troops under General Charles Cornwallis in the Battle of Yorktown, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. This victory declared Washington a national hero and that he certainly was.  
 
Despite his desire to give up leadership and return to a quiet life on his plantation with his family, Washington was asked to attend the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to head the committee to draft the new constitution. Washington knew this was necessary for the health of the blooming new nation, so he accepted, and his impressive leadership there convinced the delegates that he was the most qualified man to become the nation’s first president.  Washington did not desire more leadership, but public opinion was so strong that he eventually gave in and was voted in and then inaugurated as president in April 1789.  
 
While president, Washington was mindful that his actions would likely determine how future presidents were expected to govern, so he worked hard to set an example of fairness, prudence, and integrity. He did many great things while in office, but one of his most influential was willingly and voluntarily stepping down after two terms. This precedent set meant that the president of the new nation could not act as a king or dictator, and displayed Washington’s humility and wisdom. 
 
Washington’s life was characterized by being thrust into positions of leadership over and over because of his good character. These are not positions he necessarily sought, but he stepped up despite his potential trepidations and fears to serve the people and, eventually, the nation that he loved and wanted to see flourish. We would do well to emulate Washington and try to live up to his examples that have inspired many in the nearly 250 years of America’s history.