Originally published on March 10, 2021 (Episode 199)
Introduction
If you count up all his military service, George Washington was a soldier for about thirteen years. But as an elected representative he served for 26 years, first as a member of the House of Burgesses in Virginia, then as President of the United States. And that’s not counting being appointed by Virginia’s legislature to the First and Second Continental Congresses, and to the Constitutional Convention. That also passes over his simultaneous service as a Justice of Fairfax County, and member of the church vestry, both of which were important local political roles.
Yet for some reason we don’t think of Washington as a politician, nor recognize that the use of political power was perhaps his greatest talent. Fortunately David O. Stewart has remedied this deficit with his new book, George Washington: The Political Rise of America’s Founding Father.
About the Guest
David O. Stewart is a historian and novelist. He has written extensively on American political and constitutional history, with works including Impeached, American Emperor: Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson's America, and Madison’s Gift.
For Further Investigation
David O. Stewart writes: “I’m a fan of small books on Washington.” He suggests:
Edmund Morgan, The Genius of George Washington
Don Higginbotham, ed., George Washington Reconsidered
Paul Longmore, The Invention of George Washington
Listen & Discuss
What does it change about our understanding of Washington to see him first and foremost as a politician? Leave your reflections in the comments — and share this episode with a friend who thinks they already know George Washington.
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