# Washington — Leaves of Grass character guide

> Washington in Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** himself

**First appearance:** 0002-inscriptions

## Who they are

George Washington, the first U.S. president, referenced as a heroic figure.

## In the story

### [A Boston Ballad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/a-boston-ballad)

Implied as a figure of the past contrasted with the current spectacle.

### [Virginia—The West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/virginia-the-west)

Mentioned as a past defender provided by the rebellious themselves to protect the Mother of All.

### [The Centenarian's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-centenarian-s-story)

The General who watched the brigade's destruction from the hill, wept, and later retreated with resolve at sunrise.

### [The Poet's Vocation in America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/12)

Washington is mentioned as having read the Declaration of Independence at the head of the army.

### [3](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/3)

Mentioned in connection with the Potomac river, which 'laving the ground Washington trod'.

### [The Farewell of Washington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/5)

Stands inside the lines after the defeat at Brooklyn, weeping and grieving over the slaughter of soldiers, then bids a tearful farewell to his army.

### [What Best I See in Thee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/what-best-i-see-in-thee)

Mentioned as a figure whose seat of ruling in peace Grant occupied.

### [Election Day, November, 1884](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/election-day-november-1884)

Mentioned as one whose sails were swelled by the stormy gusts of democratic choice.

### [Washington’s Monument, February, 1885](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/washington-s-monument-february-1885)

Addressed as the embodiment of universal freedom and heroism, whose true monument is the spread of liberty across the world.

### [The Dying Veteran](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-dying-veteran)

The veteran fought under Washington during the Revolutionary War.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters/washington
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters