Top 20 Surprising and Bizarre Facts About George Washington You Didn't Know

George Washington is one of the most iconic figures in American history, revered as the Father of the Nation and celebrated for his leadership during the Revolutionary War and his presidency. However, there is much more to the man than his legendary achievements and stoic image on the dollar bill. In fact, there are many strange and surprising facts about George Washington that are not widely known, from his unusual habits and personal quirks to his talents and accomplishments outside of politics and war. Here are 20 bizarre facts about George Washington that will give you a whole new perspective on the man behind the myth:

Washington had a unique set of false teeth

Contrary to popular belief, George Washington did not have wooden teeth. However, he did have a set of dentures made from a combination of materials, including human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory.

Washington was an accomplished equestrian

Washington was a skilled horseman and owned several horses throughout his life. He was known to ride with great skill and grace, and even owned a special saddle that allowed him to comfortably ride for hours.

Washington was prone to fainting

Washington was known to have a condition that caused him to faint or lose consciousness. It is thought that this may have been due to a combination of stress, dehydration, and the high temperatures of the summer months.

Washington was an early adopter of the smallpox vaccine

In 1777, during the Revolutionary War, Washington ordered that all Continental soldiers be vaccinated against smallpox. This was one of the first mass vaccinations in history and is believed to have helped save many lives.

Washington was an avid farmer

Washington was passionate about farming and was known to be a skilled horticulturist. He even kept detailed journals documenting his experiments with different crops and farming techniques.

Washington had a lifelong fear of being buried alive

Washington was terrified of being buried alive and requested that his body be laid out for three days before being buried. This was a common practice at the time, as it was thought to give the body time to fully succumb to death.

Washington had a pet parrot

Washington owned a pet parrot named Polly, who was known for her ability to imitate human speech. Polly was a fixture in the Washington household and was said to have had a fondness for crackers.

Washington had a taste for ice cream

Washington was a big fan of ice cream and even had a recipe for it in his personal papers. The recipe called for cream, sugar, and a variety of flavors, including lemon, peach, and vanilla.

Washington was an early advocate for copyright laws

In 1783, Washington wrote a letter to the Continental Congress in which he argued for the creation of a copyright law to protect the intellectual property of authors and inventors. His ideas helped shape the eventual passage of the first U.S. copyright law in 1790.

Washington was an early user of the telegraph

In 1793, Washington sent a message via the newly-invented telegraph, which was still in its experimental phase. The message, which was sent from the U.S. Capitol to Mount Vernon, read: "I have just had the pleasure of receiving your friendly message by means of the new electro-magnetic apparatus."

Washington was a skilled dancer

Washington was known to be an excellent dancer and was said to have been particularly skilled at the minuet, a popular dance of the time. He enjoyed dancing so much that he even had a special dance floor installed at Mount Vernon.

Washington had a love of exotic animals

Washington had a fascination with exotic animals and even had a menagerie at Mount Vernon that included a camel, two gray squirrels, and a lion. He was particularly fond of horses and was known to have a stable of over 40 horses at one point.

Washington was the only president to never live in Washington D.C.

Although Washington is often associated with the nation's capital, he was the only president who never actually lived in Washington D.C. He spent most of his presidency in Philadelphia and New York.

Washington's hair was not naturally white

Contrary to popular belief, Washington's hair was not naturally white. He actually powdered his hair white as was the fashion of the time.

Washington was almost killed in battle multiple times

Washington was no stranger to danger, having fought in numerous battles during the Revolutionary War. He was almost killed several times, including during the Battle of Braddock's Field in 1755, when he had two horses shot out from under him.

Washington was known to have a temper

While he was known for his dignified demeanor and restraint, Washington was also known to have a quick temper. He was said to have thrown a punch at a fellow officer during the French and Indian War and was known to be fierce in battle.

Washington was a whiskey distiller

Washington owned a whiskey distillery at Mount Vernon and was one of the largest whiskey producers in the country. He was known for his high-quality product and even won a gold medal at a whiskey competition in 1799.

Washington was a prolific letter-writer

Washington was a prolific writer and kept up a steady correspondence with friends and family throughout his life. It is estimated that he wrote over 20,000 letters during his lifetime.

Washington was a master of espionage

During the Revolutionary War, Washington became a master of espionage and used a network of spies to gather information on the British. He even had a spy ring operating in New York City, led by a man named Nathan Hale.

Washington was an accomplished musician

Washington was a talented musician and played the flute and the violin. He was known to have a beautiful singing voice and would often lead his troops in song.

Washington had a love of hunting

Washington was an avid hunter and enjoyed spending time in the wilderness. He was known to be an excellent shot and would often go on extended hunting trips with friends.

Washington was a visionary leader

Finally, Washington was not just a great military leader and politician, but also a visionary who believed in the ideals of democracy and freedom. He set a standard of leadership that has influenced generations of Americans, and his legacy continues to be celebrated today.

In conclusion, these 20 bizarre facts about George Washington reveal a fascinating and complex individual whose life was full of surprises and achievements. From his unique set of false teeth and love of ice cream to his talents as a musician and master of espionage, Washington was a man of many talents and accomplishments who left an indelible mark on American history.