George Washington was the first President of the United States. But there were "Presidents of Congress" both before and after the Articles of Confederation. These 14 men were "presiding officers", not chief executives of the country (Washington was the first).

Presidents of Congress (September 5, 1774 - November 5, 1781)

1. Peyton Randolph (twice)

2. Henry Middleton

3. John Hancock (see below)

4. Henry Laurens

5. John Jay

6. Samuel Huntington

7. Thomas McKean

Presidents under the Articles of Confederation ( November 5, 1781 - November 15, 1788)

1. John Hanson

2. Elias Boudinot

3. Thomas Mifflin

4. Richard Henry Lee

5. John Hancock

6. Nathaniel Gorham

7. Arthur St. Clair

8. Cyrus Griffin