Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States.
Fast Facts:
- Born: August 20, 1833
- Political Party: Republican
- Administration: 1889 to 1893
- Vice-President: Levi P. Morton
- Preceded by: Grover Cleveland
- Succeeded by: Grover Cleveland
- Secretary of State: James G. Blaine, John W. Foster
- First Lady: Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison (died in 1892)
- Second wife: Mary Scott Lord Dimmick, married 1896
- Occupation: Lawyer
- Grandson of President William Henry Harrison
- To date, only U.S. President from Indiana
- Died: March 13, 1901
Early Life
The grandson of William Henry Harrison, the 9th President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison grew up in a political environment. A lawyer by trade, Harrison fought for the North in the Civil War, and served in a variety of political positions until his election to the U.S. Senate from Indiana in 1881.
Presidency
In 1888, Harrison was the Republican nominee and ran against incumbent President Grover Cleveland. In an unusual outcome, Harrison lost the popular vote, but decisively won the Electoral College vote and became President. During his relatively unexceptional Presidency, Harrison attempted to reform the civil service, remove antiquated tariffs, and expand American influence in the Caribbean and Pacific. After his tariff reforms resulted in dwindling federal reserves and an economic downturn near the end of his Presidency, Harrison became unpopular and was defeated in his bid for re-election by the very man he had unseated: Grover Cleveland. Just before the 1892 election, his wife, First Lady Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison, died of tuberculosis.
Later Life
Benjamin Harrison Photos and Media
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Benjamin Harrison Timeline
August 20, 1833: Born in Indianapolis, Indiana
1852: Graduated from Miami University
1853: Married Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison
August 1862: Appointed Colonel of the 70th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment
1864: Elected reporter of the Indiana State Supreme Court
March 4, 1889: Assumed office as President in contested election
December 29, 1890: Wounded Knee Massacre
1892: Loses election to Grover Cleveland
October 25, 1892: Wife Caroline died of tuberculosis
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