Most people know George Washington as a founding figure of the United States, but few realize he once lived in Barbados. In 1751, a 19-year-old George accompanied his half-brother, Lawrence Washington, to the island.
Their stay lasted just two months, but it left a lasting impression. Today, the George Washington House Barbados preserves this little-known chapter of his life. For those interested in digging deeper, we’ve pulled together a reading list.
These books about George Washington and Barbados explore the island’s colonial role, the Washington family, and the 18th-century British military presence.
Each title makes great companions for anyone planning Barbados tours, visiting the Garrison Tunnels, or exploring Bridgetown, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Essential Reading
Some of these books are available in our gift shop.
1. George Washington’s Barbados Diary, 1751–1752: edited by J.M. Toner
This is the firsthand account of Washington’s trip. The diary is brief but revealing. He writes about sugar plantations, local customs, and catching smallpox, his only known trip abroad.
3. George Washington’s Visit to Barbados 1751: Compiled by Richard Goddard
This book covers George Washington’s only trip outside mainland North America, a 1751 visit to Barbados with his brother Lawrence, who was seeking treatment for tuberculosis. It also gives insight into the island’s economy and society at the time, with a brief look at life in Colonial Virginia.
4. Lawrence Washington: Soldier and Statesman: by Paul Longmore
Longmore’s biography of Lawrence Washington explains why the Barbados trip happened at all. Lawrence had tuberculosis, and they came seeking the climate’s supposed health benefits. It also covers his military service under British command.
5. The Sugar Barons: Family, Corruption, Empire, and War in the West Indies: by Matthew Parker
While not about George directly, this book paints a picture of 18th-century Barbados history through the powerful sugar families that ran the island. Parker ties the Caribbean economy directly to British imperial strategy.
7. George Washington: A Life: by Willard Sterne Randall
Randall gives only one chapter to Barbados, but it’s dense with details about the voyage, Lawrence’s illness, and George’s exposure to global trade and British colonial politics.
Step Back in Time at George Washington House Barbados
These books about George Washington and Barbados offer new angles on a short but meaningful part of his life. They also pull you into the world of British military and economic control in the 1700s. If you’re interested in learning while you travel, read up before you visit the George Washington House Barbados. The island’s history is rich with stories that connect the past to the present.
Reading even a few of these can bring depth to your trip and a stronger sense of place as you explore Barbados, walk the Garrison tunnels, or join one of the many Barbados tours.
The story of Washington’s brief time here is just one thread in a larger historical web, and these books help you see the whole picture. To book a tour or reservation at the George Washington House, click here or give us a call at (246) 228-5461.