Washington was born in 1732 into a family of wealthy Virginia plantation owners at a time when America was a British colony. After receiving a good education at home he became a successful surveyor mapping the uncharted �Wild West� before being enlisted into the Virginia militia at 21. The young Washington showed his bravery and strategic brilliance as he led several successful British expeditions against French invaders. However despite his growing reputation this ambitious young man returned to his estate in protest at being denied a commission by the British.