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Secondary sourceBook1800 (cherry tree story added 1806); this edition 1809

The Life of Washington

Mason Locke Weems · 1800 (cherry tree story added 1806); this edition 1809

An early biography of George Washington written by Mason Locke Weems shortly after his death, aimed at teaching moral lessons to young Americans.

This biography, written about Washington soon after his death, created lasting myths—like the cherry tree story—that shaped his popular image.

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Title page of an 1809 book: 'The Life of George Washington; with Curious Anecdotes, Equally Honourable to Himself and Exemplary to His Young Countrymen.' Eighth edition, embellished with seven engravings, by M. L. Weems, formerly rector of Mount-Vernon parish. Philadelphia: printed for the author, 1809.
Mason Locke Weems, The Life of Washington, 1809 edition. Library of Congress.

About this source

What it is

This is a biography of George Washington written by Mason Locke Weems, a minister and bookseller, first published in 1800 and later expanded. The title page shown here is from the 1809 edition, printed in Philadelphia and held by the Library of Congress.

Why it matters

Weems wrote the book to give young Americans morally instructive stories about Washington's virtues. It became a bestseller and shaped how generations of Americans pictured Washington's character. It is also the source of popular stories, including the famous cherry-tree tale, which historians later judged to be invented rather than factual.

Look closer

  • Why might Weems have wanted to present Washington as a moral example rather than simply report facts about his life?
  • What does the long, flattering subtitle on the title page tell you about the purpose of the book?
  • How can a story become widely believed as true history even if it was never verified?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of George Washington on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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