George Washington Parke Custis

George Washington Parke Custis
Unidentified Artist · Public domain · source
Name	George Washington Parke Custis
Birth date	April 30, 1781
Birth place	Mount Airy, Virginia
Death date	October 10, 1857
Death place	Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
Occupation	Planter, playwright, and orator

George Washington Parke Custis was the grandson of Martha Washington and the step-grandson of George Washington, who raised him at Mount Vernon. He was a planter, playwright, and orator, known for his writings on American history and his role in preserving the legacy of George Washington. Custis was also a member of the Episcopal Church and served as a Justice of the Peace in Alexandria County, Virginia. He was educated at Princeton University and later studied law under Alexander Hamilton.

● Early Life

Custis was born on April 30, 1781, at Mount Airy, Virginia, the only child of John Parke Custis and Martha Washington. After his father's death in 1781, Custis was raised by his grandparents, George Washington and Martha Washington, at Mount Vernon. He was educated at home by private tutors, including Johann Heinrich Schneider, and later attended Princeton University, where he studied under John Witherspoon. Custis was also influenced by other notable figures, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

● Career

Custis began his career as a planter, managing the estates of his family, including Mount Vernon and Arlington Estate. He was also a playwright and orator, known for his writings on American history and his speeches on Independence Day. Custis was a member of the American Colonization Society and supported the Missouri Compromise. He was also a strong advocate for the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Custis's writings were influenced by other notable authors, including William Shakespeare, John Milton, and Edmund Burke.

● Marriage and Family

In 1804, Custis married Mary Lee Fitzhugh, a member of the prominent Lee family of Virginia. The couple had four children, including Mary Anna Randolph Custis, who later married Robert E. Lee. Custis was also a close friend and advisor to Robert E. Lee, who would later become the commander of the Confederate States Army. Custis's family was connected to other notable families, including the Washington family, the Lee family, and the Randolph family.

● Mount Vernon and Arlington

Custis played a significant role in preserving the legacy of George Washington and the history of Mount Vernon. He was a member of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and supported the preservation of the estate. Custis also built Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, which would later become the home of Robert E. Lee and his family. The estate was designed by George Hadfield and featured a collection of George Washington's artifacts and memorabilia. Custis's efforts to preserve the legacy of George Washington were supported by other notable figures, including Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, and Daniel Webster.

● Later Life and Legacy

Custis died on October 10, 1857, at Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, which was established on the grounds of his estate. Custis's legacy as a planter, playwright, and orator has been recognized by historians, including Douglas Southall Freeman and Dumas Malone. His writings on American history have been influential, and his efforts to preserve the legacy of George Washington have been widely acknowledged. Custis's life and legacy are also connected to other notable events and figures, including the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S. Grant. Category:American planters