Deborah Brower's note on the meaning of “President” in the 18th century

At the bottom of the matter is a false equivalency and a misunderstanding of what the office of “President” meant in the 18th century. During that time it was nothing more than a presiding officer, a person charged with maintaining order in a meeting. When the U.S. Constitution was being drafted, three weeks were spent in debate over what to call the leader of the executive branch. President was considered too lowly a title, but nothing else could be agreed upon. The title means what it does today because of the actions of the man who first held the office of chief executive, George Washington.

Deborah Brower, A Mythical Presidency, Historical Society of Frederick County, Journal, Spring 2013, (PDF) quotation on pages 7-8.

See also History Myths Myth # 88: John Hanson was the real first president of the United States, May 18, 2012, also by Deborah Brower.