华盛顿(1732～1799年)
Washington, George
美国革命的总司令（1775～1783）和美国第一任总统（1789～1797）。生於一富裕家庭，他受私人教育，而从十四岁起以测量员身分工作。1752年继承兄长在芒特佛南的房地产，包括十八名奴隶，虽然不赞成奴隶制度，到1760年时奴隶阶级却多达四十九种。在法国印第安人战争中，他官拜陆军中校，被派往俄亥俄领地。在布雷多克被杀之後，华盛顿成为全维吉尼亚军队的司令，负责扞卫西部边界（1755～1758）。他辞去职务以料理自己的庄园，1759年娶寡妇玛莎为妻。他在移民议会中服务（1759～1774）并支持殖民者的条款，後在大陆会议服务（1774～1775）。1775年获选为大陆军的司令。在随後的美国革命中，虽然吃了几次败仗，事後证明他是精明的司令和英勇的领袖。随着战争在约克镇围城战役（1781）中实际结束，他辞去职务而回到芒特佛南（1783）。他是宪法会议（1787）的代表暨监督官员，协助宪法在维吉尼亚州获得批准。当各州选举人集会选择第一任总统时（1789），华盛顿是没有异议的人选。他成立内阁来平衡地方及政治上的差异，但却进入了一个强力的中央政府。连任後，他遵循政治派别（後来成为联邦党和民主党）之间的中庸路线。他在英国和法国交战时（1793）宣布中立政策，而派兵镇压威士忌酒反抗（1794）。他拒绝担任第三任总统，立下了144年的先例，1797年在发表「告别演说」後退休。被称为「国父」，他被举世视为美国历史上最伟大的人物之一。
English version：
1732～1799年
Washington, George
American Revolutionary commander-in-chief (1775-83) and first president of the U.S. (1789-97). Born into a wealthy family in Westmoreland Co., Va., he was educated privately and worked as a surveyor from age 14. In 1752 he inherited his brother's estate at Mount Vernon, including 18 slaves whose ranks grew to 49 by 1760, though he disapproved of slavery. In the French and Indian War he was commissioned a colonel and sent to the Ohio Territory. After Edward Braddock was killed, Washington became commander of all Virginia forces, entrusted with defending the western frontier (1755-58). He resigned to manage his estate and in 1759 married Martha Dandridge Custis (1731-1802), a widow. He served in the House of Burgesses 1759-74, where he supported the colonists' cause, and in the Continental Congress 1774-75. In 1775 he was elected to command the Continental Army. In the ensuing American Revolution, he proved a brilliant commander and stalwart leader despite several defeats. With the war effectively ended by the capture of Yorktown (1781), he resigned his commission and returned to Mount Vernon (1783). He was a delegate to and presiding officer of the Constitutional Convention (1787) and helped secure ratification of the Constitution in Virginia. When the state electors met to select the first president (1789), Washington was the unanimous choice. He formed a cabinet to balance sectional and political differences but was committed to a strong central government. Elected to a second term, he followed a middle course between the political factions that became the Federalist Party and Democratic Party. He proclaimed a policy of neutrality in the war between Britain and France (1793) and sent troops to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion (1794). He declined to serve a third term, setting a 144-year precedent, and retired in 1797 after delivering his “Farewell Address.” Known as the “father of his country,” he is universally regarded as one of the greatest figures in U.S. history.