Biography
The Life of
George Washington
Growing Up in Virginia
George Washington was born in
1732 in Virginia and grew up there.
As a boy, Washington studied math,
geography, English, and Latin. He
learned how to grow crops and
raise farm animals. He also learned
how to hunt and live in the woods.
Washington grew to be more than
6 feet tall. He was taller than most
people in the 1700s.
© Developmental Studies Center
George Washing
ton
Tak
ing
the
printed by Willia
Salute at Trenton,
m Holl based on
the portrait by Joh
n Faed
kn ow t h a t
Most people
t o n wa s t h e
g
in
h
s
a
W
e
g
Ge o r
d
o f the Unit e
t
n
e
id
s
e
r
p
f irst
ica. But he
r
e
m
A
f
o
s
e
S t at
er, a soldier,
m
r
a
f
a
o
ls
a
wa s
arn
der. Le t’s le
a
le
n
r
o
b
a
and
this man.
m o r e a bo u t
When he was only 20 years old,
Washington became the owner of
his family’s valuable land. His home
was called Mount Vernon. Running
Mount Vernon was hard work, but
Washington loved doing it. He
taught himself the latest methods for
farming. In his free time, he enjoyed
fishing and fox hunting.
(continues on next page)
1
A Soldier and a Leader
Washington was also a soldier. In
1754, a war started over which
countries owned some of the land
in North America. This war was
called the French and Indian War.
Washington led men from Virginia
in fighting many of the battles.
Afterward, Washington returned to
Mount Vernon.
In 1758, Washington was elected to
Virginia’s government. The following
year, he married Martha Custis. Her
family owned a lot of land. Together
they became one of the richest
families in Virginia.
A Man of Courage
People remember George Washington
as a strong leader. He led soldiers in
battle. He led the way in forming
a new government. And he led the
country as its first president. For
these reasons, Washington is often
called “the father of our country.”
National Park Ser vice.
© Developmental Studies Center
After the Constitution was signed,
the United States of America held its
first election. In 1789, Washington
was elected the new country’s first
president. He served as president
for 8 years. After his presidency,
he returned to Mount Vernon to
manage his land and spend time
with his family. He died in 1799.
artment of the Interior
The Washington Monument
in Washington, D.C., honors
the first president of the
United States of America.
After the Revolutionary War, a
group of people met to write the
Constitution of the United States.
They made Washington the leader
of their group.
Courtesy of The U.S. Dep
In 1775, the Revolutionary War
started. In this war, the American
states fought for their freedom
from Great Britain. Washington
was chosen to lead the army. It was
a very hard job. The British had
many more soldiers and weapons.
Washington was very smart when
planning battles. He also had a lot of
courage. Even when they were cold
and hungry, his men still followed
him. His leadership helped the states
win the war.
America’s First
President
2
Biography
The Life of
George Washington
Growing Up in Virginia
George Washington was born in
1732 in Virginia and grew up there.
As a boy, Washington studied math,
geography, English, and Latin. He
learned how to grow crops and
raise farm animals. He also learned
how to hunt and live in the woods.
Washington grew to be more than
6 feet tall. He was taller than most
people in the 1700s.
© Developmental Studies Center
George Washing
ton
Tak
ing
the
printed by Willia
Salute at Trenton,
m Holl based on
the portrait by Joh
n Faed
kn ow t h a t
Most people
t o n wa s t h e
g
in
h
s
a
W
e
g
Ge o r
d
o f the Unit e
t
n
e
id
s
e
r
p
f irst
ica. But he
r
e
m
A
f
o
s
e
S t at
er, a soldier,
m
r
a
f
a
o
ls
a
wa s
arn
der. Le t’s le
a
le
n
r
o
b
a
and
this man.
m o r e a bo u t
When he was only 20 years old,
Washington became the owner of
his family’s valuable land. His home
was called Mount Vernon. Running
Mount Vernon was hard work, but
Washington loved doing it. He
taught himself the latest methods for
farming. In his free time, he enjoyed
fishing and fox hunting.
(continues on next page)
1
A Soldier and a Leader
Washington was also a soldier. In
1754, a war started over which
countries owned some of the land
in North America. This war was
called the French and Indian War.
Washington led men from Virginia
in fighting many of the battles.
Afterward, Washington returned to
Mount Vernon.
In 1758, Washington was elected to
Virginia’s government. The following
year, he married Martha Custis. Her
family owned a lot of land. Together
they became one of the richest
families in Virginia.
A Man of Courage
People remember George Washington
as a strong leader. He led soldiers in
battle. He led the way in forming
a new government. And he led the
country as its first president. For
these reasons, Washington is often
called “the father of our country.”
National Park Ser vice.
© Developmental Studies Center
After the Constitution was signed,
the United States of America held its
first election. In 1789, Washington
was elected the new country’s first
president. He served as president
for 8 years. After his presidency,
he returned to Mount Vernon to
manage his land and spend time
with his family. He died in 1799.
artment of the Interior
The Washington Monument
in Washington, D.C., honors
the first president of the
United States of America.
After the Revolutionary War, a
group of people met to write the
Constitution of the United States.
They made Washington the leader
of their group.
Courtesy of The U.S. Dep
In 1775, the Revolutionary War
started. In this war, the American
states fought for their freedom
from Great Britain. Washington
was chosen to lead the army. It was
a very hard job. The British had
many more soldiers and weapons.
Washington was very smart when
planning battles. He also had a lot of
courage. Even when they were cold
and hungry, his men still followed
him. His leadership helped the states
win the war.
America’s First
President
2