Believe it or not, the education of George Washington was limited compared to other leaders of his day. His two older half-brothers went to England to receive their education; George Washington did not.
He did not learn any other languages or go to college. In fact, George Washington’s education ended when he was about sixteen years old.
It is not for certain who taught Washington or where he attended school. The only thing that remains from the education of George Washington is his school papers. Through the papers, it can be determined that he has useful education that would help him later on in life.
Washington was quoted as describing his education as “defective.” Even though the education of George Washington continued to be developed, he remained embarrassed that his formal education ended early.
His favorite methods of acquiring knowledge included reading books, learning from others, and studying the people he respected. He also learned from personal experiences.
Here is what we can learn from the education of George Washington just by reviewing his school papers:
1. His first school papers were dated 1741. If he was born in 1732, he was about 8 or 9 and could effectively read, write, and do math.
2. Another one of Washington’s papers was actually a survey of his half-brother’s turnip field. Obviously, he learned surveying while he was in school. How would this ability aid him later in life?
3. One of his papers showed that he studied geography, could calculate interest on money transactions, and could copy many legal forms that were used in Virginia at that time.
4. Washington may not have received his education in England, but he was certainly taught something about manners and decorum. He copied 110 rules that people should observe for good manners and behavior.
The rules were known as the “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” The rules clearly must have helped him interact with people and the leaders around him.
George Washington may have lamented having a truncated education, but what he had was clearly solid and useful. His education gave him the necessary skills to be a good leader for America.
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