The Greatness of George Washington

Gordon Wood examines the virtues of George Washington that aided the Chief Commander of the Continental Army and first President of the United States to shape the young country. Wood highlights Washington’s concerns with his reputation—citing his letters to friends and fellow statesmen. Washington’s disinterest in power and awareness of his legacy shaped his moral leadership and role in defining the United States.

About the Speaker

Gordon Wood is a professor emeritus of history at Brown University. Dr. Wood received the Pulitzer Prize for History for The Radicalism of the American Revolution (1992) and was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2010.

Learn more about George Washington in our blog post, Why We Honor George Washington, and view the first accurate printed likeness of Washington by Charles Willson Peale.