***(Editor’s Note: In conjunction with the Inauguration of America’s 44th President, “The Thirsty Quill” is publishing a series entitled “Ranking The Presidents.” There is no ‘exact science’ to these rankings other than personal opinion based on such factors as policy, performance, popularity, perseverance, integrity, and legacy. Aside from those Presidents ranked in the top 25% and the bottom 25%, there is a great deal of ‘wiggle room’ for discretionary placement and movement. These rankings are strictly the personal opinion of the Editor of ‘The Quill,’ and should not be regarded as an academic survey of any type. Debate of these rankings is highly encouraged and appreciated.)***

#1: George Washington (1789-1797)

I realize that George Washington may not have been the “uniquely original” or “shocking surprise” selection for the #1 ranking on this list, but I have long been convinced that the “Father of Our Country” is by far the greatest President in American history.

My essay on George Washington won’t be as long as some of the others included on this list, quite simply because most people already know so much about him. The facts and stories are all there to support this claim, and I dare anyone to dispute Washington’s validation at the top of this list. He had it all: character, leadership, military service, vision, courage, candor, and discernment. On top of it all, he had impeccable character and humility amidst a tidal wave of popularity. Compared to every other American President, Washington clearly has the most remarkable story and the cleanest of slates to show for it (in reference to his character and integrity). Remember, he was “the man who could not tell a lie” to all who knew him.

Most History books leave out some remarkable details about Washington’s life. Forget the tales about cherry trees and wooden teeth (they were actually animal teeth and ivory). I’ll bet you didn’t know about his brushes with death that could have single-handedly altered the course of American history. While still a teen, George Washington contracted smallpox, a disease that left him scarred on his face, and nearly cost him his life. As a young military leader for the British during the French and Indian War, Washington walked away from one bloody battle having had two horses shot out from under him, and later finding four bullet holes in his uniform…yet not a scratch on his body! Remember, these brushes with death came years before anyone had any idea of the impact Washington would have on the future of America. Had his smallpox infection claimed victory over his body, or had the stray bullets drifted an inch in one direction or the other, we might be living today in a nation void of a capital city that bears his name, under a government without his vision, wisdom, and influence, and we could conceivably still be a colony of Great Britain.

Yet another founding father from Virginia, Washington was a land surveyor by the time he was 15 years old. Making a name for himself during the French and Indian War (as mentioned above), his leadership was recognized by many in the colonies, and he was selected to serve as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. He would later serve as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Being a firm believer in the ideals of the Revolution, and based on his prior military service and overwhelming respectability, Washington was chosen to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental forces once the war broke out.

Washington’s leadership and guidance helped America pull off what should be considered as the greatest “upset” in the history of the world, as a rag-tag, undermanned, ill-equipped, poorly-trained, and unqualified group of militia and rural farmers defeated the most powerful army (and empire) in the world. Make no mistake, had it not been for Washington’s military brilliance, and his innate ability to motivate others to fight and die for a higher purpose (remember Valley Forge), America would have never won the war. The result of such an end needs no further explanation.

As America’s first and foremost military leader, Washington was posthumously appointed as the only Six-Star General in our history by President Jimmy Carter. Yet Washington’s military role is only a portion of his contribution. As President of the Constitutional Convention, he oversaw the highly-secretive process of constructing America’s governmental system.

Little did George Washington realize that the Convention was using him as the model and example by which they would design the position of Chief Executive. Don’t miss that. The position of President of the United States, as originally drawn up by the framers of the Constitution, was literally built around George Washington, with absolutely no suggestion or influence along those lines from Washington himself. The framers had so much admiration, respect, trust, and high regard for Washington, that they specifically modeled the highest position in the land after him. That alone is reason to rank Washington among the elite.

Becoming the only President in our history to be elected unanimously, Washington humbly accepted the role. He refused to accept a crown offered to him as America’s new “king.” Instead, he graciously led by example and integrity.

There is always some question raised over the fact that Washington was, at one time, a slave owner. Yet, I will counter that argument with the fact that he freed all of his slaves when reflecting upon the ideals of equality, liberty, and freedom. He was the only founding father who owned slaves to make such a bold statement by actually acting upon it in that manner.

Of course, we all know that Washington stepped down after completing his second four-year term. He was well aware of the fact that he could have been elected every four years until the day he died (yes, he was that popular). Still, Washington had no interest in following the example of the monarchs of Europe, choosing instead to set a precedent and pass the torch of leadership and power on to someone else. To voluntarily relinquish power in such a manner was unheard of in the world at that time.

Washington despised political parties, and even warned that the emergence of a two-party system would result in the paralysis of the political process, and would hinder the ability of the government to be effective in representing the people. Wow, imagine that.

Most portraits of Washington show him without a smile, and lips clenched tightly as if he were hiding something in his mouth. The truth is, he was. Washington was embarrassed by his set of horribly cracked and broken teeth, and was often forced to wear poorly-fitted dentures in public. Washington was known to have a temper from time to time, and on occasion, it is said that he could “cuss the paint off the walls.” There are also reports that he liked to gamble a bit, and once decided that attending church was nothing more than an opportunity to catch up on the latest gossip. At times, the deeply religious Washington opted to spend the Sabbath at home, spending time alone in scripture and prayer. And of course, there are countless other quirky tales about Washington that I could fill space with, but most have been told to us time and again since we were kids in grade school.

After serving his country in so many capacities and without regard for his own personal well-being, Washington retired quietly to his estate at Mount Vernon. When he died nearly three years later, he is said to have uttered, “It is well; I die hard…but am not afraid to go.” America’s great father was gone. 

Notable Quotations: “Few men have virtue enough to withstand the highest bidder.”

“It is not a custom with me to keep money to look at.”

“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”

“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.”

“To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones.”

“Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

“I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct that may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.”

“There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy.”

“My movement to the chair of government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.”

“However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” (on political parties)

“Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.”

“It is well. I die hard…but am not afraid to go.” (his last words)

#1: George Washington

PRESIDENTIAL RANKINGS & REVIEWS (Final List): 

#1: George Washington (1789-1797)

#2: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-April 1945)

#3: Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)

#4: Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)

#5: James Madison (1809-1817)

#6: Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)

#7: Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)

#8: Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1901-1909)

#9: Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)

#10: James Monroe (1817-1825)

#11: Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)

#12: John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)

#13: Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)

#14: James K. Polk (1845-1849)

#15: Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)

#16: George W. Bush (2001-2009)

#17: John Adams (1797-1801)

#18: William McKinley (1897-1901)

#19: William Taft (1909-1913)

#21/20: Grover Cleveland (1885-89/1893-97)

#22: George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)

#23: Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)

#24: Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)

#25: John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)

#26: Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)

#27: Gerald Ford (1974-1977)

#28: Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)

#29: Zachary Taylor (March 1849-July 1850)

#30: Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)

#31: Chester Arthur (1881-1885)

#32: Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)

#33: John Tyler (1841-1845)

#34: Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)

#35: Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)

#36: Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

#37: James Buchanan (1857-1861)

#38: Richard Nixon (1969-1974)

#39: Bill Clinton (1993-2001)

#40: Warren Harding (March 1921-August 1923)

#41: Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)

#42*: James Garfield (March 1881-September 1881)

#43*: William Henry Harrison (March 1841-April 1841)