George III vs. George W.

Shortly after the Revolutionary War ended, an American artist named Benjamin West was commissioned to paint an official portrait of the King.

George asked him what Washington would now do, having won his Nation’s independence and having become one of the most famous men in the world, and a hero to his own people.

The artist said that Washington intended to return to his farm.

George responded that if Washington did this, he would be the greatest man of the age. The exact words he said may have been slightly different, but George’s sentiment is not questioned by anyone.

That this exchange occurred is remarkable and says a great deal about who King George really was. No man in the world had more reason to hate George Washington than he did. Yet he praised Washington for doing the right thing and emulating Cincinnatus rather than Caesar. Washington stayed at home until, like with Cincinnatus, his Nation needed him again. Then he died as a citizen, rather than as a Dictator or a King.

It is worth noting that King George III was not a tyrant and was in fact a very effective sovereign until mental illness plagued him late in life. When we sought independence, we needed a “bad guy,” so he got the devil’s horns even though our quarrel was actually with Parliament.