Charles Willson Peale is well known for his portraits and other artistic works, but his career with the malicious and scandalous "Furious" Whigs party is often overlooked. His dedication and love of education led him to found several museums. His work in museum curation made him (as some call him) the "father of the American museum system." From his paintings to politics, from his museums to military service, to his family and his fame, Charles Willson Peale was a revolutionary and skilled painter. The culmination of these factors creates a vivid and expressive story and life. Coming from less than humble beginnings, Charles Willson Peale's father, Charles Peale, was guilty of embezzling government money while working as a clerk at the General Post Office. Charles Peale, the father, was tried and sentenced to death. In 1740 Charles Peale became a teacher and later that year he married Margaret Triggs; they had five children. Charles Willson Peale, the son, was born April 15, 1741, in Queen Anne's County. It was just seven months after their marriage and seven years later Charles Peale, the father, died. Margaret struggled to manage an estate and her five children. Charles Willson Peale, being the eldest, had to help support his family. To support his family, Peale began as an apprentice to a saddler. After acquiring skills in saddlery, Peale started his own saddlery business and later married Rachel Brewer. To help support his growing debt, Peale added watch repair and silversmithing to his business, but in 1763 Peale began his career as one of the greatest colonial painters. After adding sign painting to his business, trading a saddle for painting lessons, and receiving gu...... middle of paper ...... on, and in other places, but his paintings gave him the ability to receive government patronage. Peale's first painting of William Pitt propelled him into the spotlight of pre-war colonial government patronage. Astonished by the work, the Annapolis legislature awarded Peale 100 pounds for his donation to the State House. His work with Colonel George Washington was also crucial to his later work. After receiving a commission for a painting of George Washington, colonel and member of the House of Burgesses6, he created a portrait of him. The Maryland legislature recognized Peale's talent and commissioned him to create a period portrait of General George Washington. Peale produced Washington at Princeton and he continued to receive more government patronage and commissions. Peale's greatest achievement was arguably his work founding and curating a museum..