george washington

*Born of relatively average status, but married up (as his Father had done) *Was very concerned with obtaining status/prestige *Led a Virginia militia in the French and Indian War (mainly in hopes of receiving a commission in the British Army) *General of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War *1st president, served two four year terms *Was addressed as "His Excellency" *Iconic figure, considered by men like Jefferson, Adams, Franklin to be the most important Founding Father *Was highly revered by contemporaries, and this exalted status helped maintain the United States in its first chaotic years of government. *Was more of a Federalist (central government authority, national bank, standing army) than a Jeffersonian Republican (revolutionary vision of country, agrarian republic, states' rights) *Wasn't scared of bullets *Had smallpox at age 19 *His actions in preventing the spread of smallpox in the Continental Army are considered by historians to be his greatest military achievement (as disease was rampant, controlled inoculations saved thousands of men) *6'2'' *Very athletic *Usually seen with his black friend, both having superb mastery of riding horses. *Based on cultural attitudes, if present day Americans actually read some of his letters, they would consider him to be something of a Nancy Fancypants