The Man Who Would Not be King

Julia Shaw / December 23, 2010

We all know the stories about George Washington. He chopped down a cherry tree, but did not lie about it. He wore wooden teeth and handwrote rules of civility. But cherry trees and wooden teeth do not capture the actual Washington. His greatest legacy lies in resisting the lure of political power.

The War for Independence presented several opportunities for Washington to usurp political power. In 1776 and 1777, Washington received virtually unlimited authority to wage war against the British, but promptly returned these extensive grants when the crises ended. After the war, many suggested Washington claim formal political power—perhaps even become America’s first king. Washington rejected the idea of becoming king as inappropriate and dishonorable. He fought the war for the sake of the American Republic, not for his personal self-aggrandizement. (more…)