George Washington is widely remembered as the leader who won independence for America and founded the country's government. But while his legacy influences the American public to this day, most of us know little about his character. What foundation does Washington's modern reputation have in his actual eighteenth century behavior?

This online seminar attempts to reveal the man behind the legend, delving into the record of the public and private life of America's first president from his teenage years at Mount Vernon, through his presidential years and up to his death at 67 from epiglottitis. In this seminar, three of today's leading experts on George Washington examine the actions and attitudes of this founding father, as documented by friends, observers and the man himself. They explore his obsession with his own reputation, his mixed feelings about assuming power and his views on death, religion and the afterlife.

Over 200 years after his death, Washington still serves as a national icon, an embodiment of many of America's most celebrated ideals. As contemporary leaders look to Washington's example for guidance, they confront a legend that is part truth, part patriotic folklore. In this seminar, experts unearth the messages embedded Washington's extraordinary life, as part of their search the true legacy that the "Father of America" left for his nation.

• Compare and contrast George Washington's modern reputation and his true character.
• Understand how Washington's experiences as a youth influenced his behavior later in life, especially in his role as president.
• Learn about the classical philosophy and Stoic ideals that were popular among Virginians in the eighteenth century.
• Understand how Washington's actions and beliefs contributed to his admiration by the American public.
• Be familiar with the basic events of Washington's life before and after his term of public service.
• Understand the ways in which Washington's death reflected his lifelong character.

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Network Connection: The recommended minimum connection is 56K modem with throughput of 34Kbps or more. A faster connection is encouraged to take better advantage of the media elements in the seminar.