Why a Blog About George Washington?

If we want to understand the United States of America — the spirit of its people and the character of its regime — we must look to the country’s founding fathers. Foremost among them is George Washington.

Writers of history have given us many Washingtons. Less than a year after his death, a well-meaning preacher gave us Washington as a youthful paragon of virtue, standing beside the cherry tree with his hatchet. Later historians took their own hatchets to Washington’s reputation, chopping away at his legend: he was a fool of a general, they argued, and a political pawn. Other biographers have condemned him for not living up to the moral standards of later eras.

For two centuries, Washington has been adulated, denigrated, and appropriated. This can make it difficult to see the man as he was, which in turn makes it all the more difficult to see clearly what has made our country unique in the history of the world. If we want to understand what has made America great, we must understand the man who made America possible.

The purpose of this little blog is to commemorate the life and career of George Washington and to celebrate his enduring legacy.

About the Author

My name is Adam Keiper. I live and work in the Washington, D.C. area. You can read a bit about me here, and can reach me by e-mail at akeiper@georgewashingtonblog.com.