NNK250 Signature Speaker Series: George Washington and the Presidential Title Controversy of 1789

Join Dr. Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon for an engaging exploration of one of the earliest and most revealing debates in American history—the 1789 controversy over the president’s title. Drawing from her book For Fear of an Elective King, she will uncover why Congress and th......More

Join Dr. Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon for an engaging exploration of one of the earliest and most revealing debates in American history—the 1789 controversy over the president’s title. Drawing from her book For Fear of an Elective King, she will uncover why Congress and the public fiercely argued over whether George Washington should be addressed as “His Highness” or simply “President.” Her talk will highlight how this seemingly ceremonial question exposed deep anxieties about power and the fragility of the new republic.  Attendees will learn how Washington’s own choices shaped the presidency.