CHESTERTOWN – George Washington is known for his presidency and role in the army, but, in her book “The Washingtons: George and Martha, ‘Join’d by Friendship, Crown’d by Love,” Flora Fraser instead delves into the famous couple’s marriage.

Fraser’s book was awarded the 2016 Washington Prize in May during a black-tie dinner at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. The $50,000 prize, sponsored by Washington College, the Gilder Lehrman Institute, and Mount Vernon, was established in 2005 and is given annually for the year’s best work detailing America’s founding era and is one of the largest literary prizes in America. Fraser’s work was chosen from 60 other United States and United Kingdom manuscripts.
Fraser is a biographer, who has authored books such as “Beloved Emma: The Life of Emma, Lady Hamilton,” “The Unruly Queen: The Life of Queen Caroline,” “Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III,” and “Pauline Bonaparte: Venus of Empire.” Fraser founded and chairs the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography, an organization established in her grandmother’s memory.
On Thursday, Sept. 15, Fraser will be on campus to speak about her book at Decker Theatre, Gibson Center for the Arts. Hosted by the C.V. Starr Center, events include a book signing at 4:15 p.m. in Underwood Lobby, a performance by the Dover English Country Dancers, and a reception after the talk at 5:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.