Mason Locke Weems (1760-1825), Lodge 50, Dumfries, Virginia, was an itinerant preacher and author. He wrote the first biography of George Washington. After several editions, Weems added a nearly insignificant anecdote about Washington's youth. Whether that story is truth, legend or a fabrication, it almost unexpectedly helped the book retain its status as a bestseller and needs only to be identified as, "The Cherry Tree Story." Today, it remains an icon of American folklore.
No comments:
Post a Comment