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Discussions on this page often lead to previous arguments being restated. Please read recent comments before commenting, and read through the list of highlighted discussions below before starting a new one:
The last three paragraphs of the Early life section don't seem well suited to that positioning - they are more general comments on Washington's health and viewpoints rather than specific to his early life. Is there somewhere else these would be better placed? Nikkimaria (talk) 02:35, 11 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
I agree that they do not belong in "Early life". A separate section or subsection would be in order. But there is a chronological narrative, and there is no obvious placement for them in that chronology. Bruce leverett (talk) 04:35, 11 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Is this sufficient cause to split out a Personal life or similar section from the chronology? We do have a couple of non-chronological sections already, on religion and slavery. Nikkimaria (talk) 14:02, 11 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Both approaches seem to have an up-side to them. For example, Washington's problems with his teeth started earlier in his life, even though it was only very late in life that he was finally left with only one remaining tooth; possibly the wording could be tweaked in the Early life section to reflect that the problem with his teeth started earlier in his life. Similarly for the comment on his being a fine horseman since his early life, even though the comment currently in the article singles out Jefferson's flattering comment on this score after he met Washington later in life. The possibility for a Personal life section has lots of examples from biographies on Wikipedia and it might need some discussion to decide what to include in such a section if this option is preferred: his height and weight, his marriage prospects and courtship, his medical history, his horsemanship, his popularity as a dance partner, etc. A third option might be a Medical history section if the health issues are the main concern here. I'm not sure which preference is best here, each option seems possible. ErnestKrause (talk) 16:33, 11 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
I don't think there's sufficient medical information to warrant a standalone section just on that. Another possibility might be to have that and the religious views content as subsections in a Personal Life. Nikkimaria (talk) 00:55, 12 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
I've just noticed that the FA for John Adams uses a slightly different outline at the end of the TOC. I'll try it here on the Washington page and editors can say if it works. ErnestKrause (talk) 15:29, 12 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Apparently, not much is known about Washington's childhood. He attended school sporadically. I am not sure there needs to be any break off sections. He was a ward to his brother Lawrence after his father's death. Washington basically became the Washington we know, after he took over Mt. Vernon. How close was he to the Lord Fairfax family? Cmguy777 (talk) 06:19, 21 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
The Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron article states that: "Fairfax was the only British peer who resided in the Thirteen Colonies. In 1748, he became acquainted with George Washington, who was distant relative of the Fairfax family. Impressed with Washington's energy and talents, Fairfax employed him to survey his lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which was Washington's first employment". ErnestKrause (talk) 14:58, 21 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Right. Thank you. Maybe more information on Washington and Lord Fairfax can be added. Maybe the article can mention not much is known on Washington's youth or early education. Cmguy777 (talk) 19:28, 21 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
The article is still at about 170Kb system size after much trimming and I'm not sure if you mean a possible expansion of the Early life section in some way as a preference. For the Chernow biography, his approach is to have an opening 90 page chapter about Washington's early life which he titles as "Frontiersman", and which suggests 90 pages of material to choose from. Its a fairly good read if you have an interest in the subject. ErnestKrause (talk) 15:46, 22 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Yes. I have Chernow's (2010) Washington biography. Quite detailed. I understand the need to keep the article narration reduced. Thank you. Cmguy777 (talk) 03:38, 8 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]
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