American Presidents





BenjaminHarrison
Read a letter from President Harrison

Portrait Gallery


Did You Know?

• Six states entered the United States during his administration: ND, SD, MT, ID, WY and WA.
• Although he did not win the popular vote in his election, he won the vote of the electoral college.
• Electric lights were installed in the White House during his term. His wife never turned them on because she was frightened of the switches.
• He is the only president who is the grandson of another president (see William Henry Harrison).

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Key Events in the Administration


Benjamin Harrison
(August 20, 1833 - March 13, 1901)

Life Facts

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Personal:
First Lady: Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison, Wife
Wife's Maiden Name: Caroline Scott
Other Marriages: Mary Scott Lord Dimmick
Number of Children: 3
Education Level: College
School Attended: Miami University - Oxford (OH)
Religion: Presbyterian
Profession: Military, Lawyer, Supreme Court Reporter (IN)
Military Service: Brigadier General

Public Service:
Dates of Presidency: 3/4/1889 - 3/3/1893
Presidency Number: 23
Number of Terms: 1
Why Presidency Ended: Defeated
Party: Republican
His Vice President(s): Levi P. Morton
Senator: Indiana (1881-1887)
 
Methodology and Resources

Presidential Places

Birthplace: Benjamin Harrison Birthplace/ William Henry Harrison Home
Gravesite: Crown Hill Cemetery
Home: President Benjamin Harrison Home

Reference Material

Bibliography
Inaugural Address
Related Links
C-SPAN in the Classroom
Papers: Library of Congress - Washington, DC, 202-707-5387
Watch American Presidents Programs from
C-SPAN's Archives

Programming includes:

• Benjamin Harrison Life Portrait: From President Benjamin Harrison Home - Indianapolis, IN
 Guests included: Charles Calhoun, history professor, East Carolina University; Phyllis Geeslin, executive director, President Benjamin Harrison Home; Tom Huston, Indianapolis presidential memorabilia collector Watch | Order Videotape
    
• Benjamin Harrison portrayed by Edward Myers Watch
 
• Jim Bright on Columbia Club Indianapolis (formerly the Benjamin Harrison Marching Society) Watch

 • Don Ritchie on Harrison and the 1888 election Watch

 • Mark Lubbers on Indiana presidential politics (Crown Hill Cemetery) Watch

 • John Sellers on Harrison's presidential papers Watch
 
• 1995 Washington Journal on presidents from Ohio, featuring Harrison Watch 


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