GEORGE WASHINGTON’S IRON SELF CONTROL. I came across the story about Washington losing his temper at a cabinet meeting because I heard Mary Jane laugh out loud when she was reading Chernow’s biography of Hamilton. She laughed for the same reason that I have never forgotten reading about Washington’s attempt to charge the redcoats single-handed. Our image of Washington is of dignity and calm even in the most difficult circumstances. I checked this wikipedia entry on Washington to find some views of respected historians on Washington’s character: “In terms of personality, biographer Douglas Southall Freeman concluded, “the great big thing stamped across that man is character.” By character, says David Hackett Fischer, “Freeman meant integrity, self-discipline, courage, absolute honesty, resolve, and decision, but also forbearance, decency, and respect for others.”
It’s nice to think that Washington had a strong temper that he controlled by will power.