Governor. Born in Columbia County, Georgia. He was the fourth son of Peter and Mary Ann Crawford. His father was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War from Virginia who had settled in Georgia to claim a land share, known as a bounty grant which the state of Georgia had set aside for those who had fought for independence. He was educated at home by his father, who served in the General Assembly. He graduated from Princeton University in 1820, studied law, and established a legal career in Augusta in 1822. From 1824 to 1825, he served as a second lieutenant of the 10th Regiment of the Georgia militia. In 1826 George married Mary Ann MacIntosh, having four children of the marriage: William Peter, Sarah MacIntosh, Anna Elizabeth, and Charles. After his marriage George entered politics in 1827 as solicitor general of the Middle Judicial Circuit of Georgia, a position he held until 1831. He also served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1837 to 1840 and in 1842, and was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from February 1, 1843, to March 3, 1843. He won the 1843 Whig gubernatorial nomination and was elected Georgia's 23rd governor. He was a reelected to a second term in 1845. During his tenure, the state's economy began to improve after suffering through a recession, which was triggered by the Panic of 1837. During his administration, major construction on the Western and Atlantic Railroad was accomplished, Georgia Supreme Court finally was established, and the state penal code was restructured. After leaving office, George was appointed U.S. Secretary of War in the cabinet of President Zachary Taylor, a position he held from 1849 to 1850. He also was President of the 1861 State Secession Convention. Governor George W. Crawford retired to his Bel-Air estate in Augusta and died there in 1872. He was 73 years of age.