George Washington.

Offered a monarchy by some, he squelched the notion.

He exercised power without loving it.

Encouraged to run for office yet again (and perpetually) he returned to his farm.


Lincoln is a towering figure in many ways, and Booth harmed the South that evening far more than he could have known, but something about the personal decency and sense of restraint Washington brought to the office set a high mark for all who followed him to work at achieving.