GEORGE WASHINGTON
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George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 at Pope Creek in Virginia. He was the eldest child to Augustine Washington and Mary Ball. George received his early education at a school in Fredericksburg before his father died in 1743[1]. Not much is known about his education after his father’s demise. However, there is evidence that he studied geometry and trigonometry[2]. At the age of 16, while living with his half brother Lawrence, Washington made contact with the Fairfax family. His connection with this powerful family made him secure a job as a surveyor at Culpepper County in Virginia in 1749 at the age of 21.
Washington started his military career after being appointed a major in Virginia militiamen in1752 to replace his brother Lawrence who had died while serving the militia[3]. In 1753, he was sent by Governor Dinwiddie to Allegheny River to check French activities in that territory. He walked many miles back to report to Governor that the French claimed the territory and they had no intension of leaving. After the Allegheny expedition, he was made a lieutenant colonel in charge of about 150 troops in 1754. He was appointed commander of Virginian forces in 1955 because of the military skills he displayed during the British French wars. In 1958, as the commander of Virginia forces, he led his forces to defeat French forces at Fort Duquesne. He resigned in the same year citing lack of lack of political support.
Washington joined politics after leaving military. He was elected representative of Frederick County in the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1759. For fifteen years, he dedicated his time to legislative agenda in the Burgesses until it was dissolved in 1774. In 1960, he became the Fairfax county justice of peace for fourteen years. Washington opposed British taxation of colonies in the House of Burgesses[4]. These followed the...