The four prominent U.S. Presidents carved into Mount Rushmore were chosen by sculptor Gutzon Borglum to correspond to milestones and ideals in American history. George Washington was chosen as a symbol of the birth of the nation; Thomas Jefferson represents the expansion of the country through the Louisiana Purchase; Abraham Lincoln was picked for preserving the union; and Theodore Roosevelt symbolizes the nation’s industrial growth.
But there are some noteworthy things about these presidents that are not commonly known.
George Washington Only Had a Grade School Education
Washington was born into a Virginia plantation family in 1732, and his formal schooling was limited to his preteen years. When Washington was just 11 years old, his father died, and his plans to Appleby Grammar School in England were halted. He instead received private tutoring for his further limited, education, and he continued to pursue self-education throughout his life.
He read books on military strategy and history. He studied geometry and trigonometry on his own, both of which came in handy for his stint as a land surveyor as a teen. But even with all of his successes, Washington was humbled by his lack of formal education throughout his life, often comparing himself to his peers.
Thomas Jefferson Was a Self-Taught Architect
Though not formally trained, Thomas Jefferson had a deep passion for and understanding of architecture and put it to practical use designing some iconic American buildings. From his days as a student at the College of William & Mary through his time as the United States’ minister to France from 1785 to 1789, Jefferson immersed himself in his own self-study of European architecture. He continued to collect books on the subject, eventually amassing one of the country’s largest private libraries.
One of his most famous architectural achievements is Monticello, his own Virginia home. He also designed the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond, considered one of the first neoclassical buildings in the U.S., as well as the iconic Rotunda at the University of Virginia. Jefferson designed and built his Virginia vacation home, too—the stunning and personal Poplar Forest, an octagon-shaped design.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Vision Harmed in a White House Boxing Match
Theodore Roosevelt is known for his physical vigor and adventurous spirit. Growing up in New York City, he suffered from asthma, and his father urged him to combat its weakening effects by building his physical strength. By the time Roosevelt headed to Harvard University, he had transformed into a physically fit and self-assured athlete. He found his place on the wrestling mat and in the boxing ring, and his asthma symptoms mostly subsided.
Throughout his career, Roosevelt continued his active exploits whenever possible. He often boxed at the White House, usually with his aides, and one of these sparring matches left him with damaged blood vessels, hemorrhaging, and eventually a detached retina, causing permanent impaired vision in his left eye. The injury may have kept him down, but not out, and Roosevelt continued to pursue physical activities, including jiu-jitsu and his beloved hunting.
Abraham Lincoln Created the Secret Service on the Day He Was Assassinated
On April 14, 1865, just hours before he was tragically shot by John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating the Secret Service. The new department’s mission wasn’t to provide presidential protection—it was to combat counterfeit currency.
By the end of the Civil War, nearly one-third of the U.S. currency in circulation was forged. The night of Lincoln’s assassination, just one local police officer was assigned to escort the President from the White House to the theater, but the officer’s whereabouts at the time of the shooting are unknown. It was not until after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, when Vice President Theodore Roosevelt took over, that the Secret Service’s mandate was expanded to protect the president.
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Frank Victoria is an award-winning author and screenwriter. He’s been an Amazon bestseller with his recent book,The Founders’ Plot, a political thriller for our times. He donates proceeds of his books to Tunnels to Towers and Fisher House, helping military veterans and first responders. His novella,The Ultimate Bet is available on his website and Amazon. Check out his new website:Frank M. Victoria
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