William Henry Harrison
March 4 - April 4, 1841
9th President
William Henry Harrison was born in Berkeley, Virginia on February 9, 1775
He is one of seven Presidents from Virginia.
President William Harrison belonged to the Whig Political Party.
William Henry Harrison served in the Indian wars in the NW territory, War of 1812.
William was the first and only President who studied to become a doctor.
Description: William Henry Harrison
Library of Congress
Harrison's inaugural address was the longest of any president. (one hour and 40 minutes in the cold, he caught a cold that day that led to his death.) (some sources say his speech was 105 minutes.) He gave the speech without wearing a coat, hat or gloves.
President Harrison had a billy goat at the White House during the short period he was there.
William Harrison had a dog named Dask.
President Harrison was a famous war hero in the Battle of Tippecoanoe. The campaign slogan was "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too."
William Harrison was the first presidential candidate to "stump." That was the word for going out and giving speeches during the campaign. Often the candidate would stand on a tree stump so he could over look the crowd.
Three men served as President in 1841. Van Buren completed his term. Harrison served one month and his Vice President, John Tyler became President. This only happened during one other year.
William Harrison had the shortest term as President. He served 1 month (31 days). He was the first president to die in office.
William Henry Harrison's term was so short that his wife who was ill at the time of the inauguration never moved to Washington D.C.
Harrison was 68 when he was elected. He was the oldest man before Ronald Reagan to be inaugurated president.
In 1840, 78% of voters went to the polls to vote. That was the highest percentage to ever vote. It was the first election that the winner had over one million votes.
President Harrison was the only president who had a grandson become president, William Henry Harrison.
He couldn't shake hands at his inauguration because they were so sore from handshaking on the campaign trail.
William Harrison died in Washington D.C. on April 4, 1841. He was 68 years and 54 days old. William was the first President to lie in state in the White House. He is buried in the William Henry Harrison Memorial State Park, North Bend, Ohio. William Harrison and Zachary Taylor are the only Presidents who died in the White House.
Quotes from Benjamin Harrison:
"We Americans have no commission from God to police the world." (1888)
"I'd rather have a bullet inside of me than to be living in constant dread of one."
1889, As I Knew Them, p. 149
|
Quick Notes
9th President March 4 - April 4, 1841
Born: Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1775
Party: Whig
Died: Washington, DC April 4, 1841, age 68
|