George W. Summers graduated from Ohio University in 1825 and was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1827. He established a law practice in Charleston and held multiple political offices, including serving in the Virginia House of Delegates and the U.S. House of Representatives. Summers also served as a circuit court judge for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit and opposed Virginia's secession from the Union. His educational and professional background underscores a robust foundation in law and public service.

George W. Summers stands out for his steadfast opposition to secession, even as a delegate to the 1861 Virginia Secession Convention, revealing a deeply rooted commitment to Union preservation. His resignation from the convention after it voted for secession underscores a principled stand against fracturing the nation. Despite his background and the tumultuous period, Summers's legislative record shows an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, suggesting a highly calculated approach to regional interests.