For Fear of an Elective King: George Washington and the Presidential Title Controversy of 1789

Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon, PhD ’10, gives a rich account of the title controversy and its meanings. In the spring of 1789, within weeks of the establishment of the new federal government based on the U.S. Constitution, the Senate and House of Representatives fell into dispute regarding how to address the president. Congress, the press and individuals debated more than 30 titles, many of which had royal associations and some of which were clearly monarchical.