Who was unanimously elected by the Electoral College as the first U.S. president?

George Washington was unanimously elected by the Electoral College as the first U.S. president.

The 1788–1789 election was the first presidential election held under the Constitution. Washington received every electoral vote, while John Adams received the second-highest total and therefore became vice president under the original constitutional system.

Washington's election reflected his reputation as commander in chief of the Continental Army and president of the Constitutional Convention. He initially preferred retirement, but accepted the office because many Americans viewed him as a unifying national figure.

Washington was again elected unanimously in 1792. No later president has matched his unanimous Electoral College result. The modern system differs from the original arrangement because electors now cast separate votes for president and vice president rather than awarding the second-place presidential finisher the vice presidency.