Historian Challenges Myths About George Washington's Mother

New research paints a different picture of Mary Ball Washington's life and role.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Historian Martha Saxton of Amherst College argues that Mary Ball Washington, the mother of George Washington, has been unfairly portrayed by male historians over the years. Saxton's research, drawn from her recent book, suggests that Mary's life was marked by hardship and adversity, including being orphaned at a young age and widowed in her 30s with five children to support.

Why it matters

This story challenges long-held beliefs about one of the most famous figures in American history, George Washington, by shedding new light on the life and character of his mother. It provides a more nuanced understanding of the formative influences and family dynamics that shaped the first U.S. president.

The details

Saxton's research indicates that in the late 19th century, George Washington's biographers began interpreting the limited evidence about Mary Ball Washington, most of which came from George himself, to portray her as overprotective, possessive, and greedy. However, Saxton's work paints a different picture, highlighting Mary's difficult life experiences such as being orphaned by age 12 due to disease in the Chesapeake region and later being widowed in her 30s with five children to support.

  • Mary Ball Washington was orphaned by age 12 due to disease in the Chesapeake region.
  • Mary Ball Washington was widowed in her 30s with five children to support.

The players

Martha Saxton

A historian at Amherst College who has written a recent book challenging the long-held myths about George Washington's mother, Mary Ball Washington.

Mary Ball Washington

The mother of George Washington, whose life and character have been the subject of new historical research that paints a more nuanced picture than previous male-dominated accounts.

George Washington

The first president of the United States, whose life and legacy have been shaped in part by the portrayal of his mother, Mary Ball Washington, in historical accounts.

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What they’re saying

“In the late 19th century, George's biographers began interpreting the few shreds of evidence about Mary—almost all of it from George—to mean that she was overprotective, possessive, and greedy.”

— Martha Saxton, Historian (The Conversation)

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of challenging long-held historical narratives and seeking a more nuanced understanding of the lives and experiences of influential figures, even those as iconic as George Washington. It demonstrates how new research can shed light on the formative influences and family dynamics that shape the lives of great leaders.