https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/gwresignation.html
[At the end of the Revolutionary War, many people in America and Europe thought Washington would retain the reins of power to become the leader of the new nation, or even king. When told by the American artist Benjamin West that Washington was going to resign, King George III of England said “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”]
And thus, he became the greatest man in the world, at that time.
I taught my jr high history students about how significant this act by Washington was. He was the most powerful man in North America, and he walked away from it to go back home to his ‘farm’.
Think about it. His ineptitude/ignorance as a young man in the wilderness of what is now Pennsylvania starts the French & Indian War. Latter actions in that war help save a British army from annihilation. His appointment to head the Continental army brings Virginia to the aid of Boston and New England. Often defeated in battle, he nevertheless kept the Continental Army intact.
Inflicted defeats of the British at Trenton and Princeton but neither were crippling blows. When with the aid of the French navy he got Cornwallis cornered on a peninsula at Yorktown he struck the final blow to win the war.
He then presided over the Constitutional Convention which pretty much created the office of President with him in mind. Served two terms and once again retired to Mount Vernon. (To think that Brandon is the current holder of that office...)
I think he is overlooked in the average person’s mind is he has become almost a cartoon figure. He died before the invention of photography; the only images we have of him are paintings and drawing.