The Presidents of the USA

Fast Facts

William Taft

1909-1913

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William Howard Taft

birthplace

Cincinnati, OH

birthday

September 15

Life

1857-1930

age

OFC:51 , d. 72

party

Republican

presidency highlights

"Dollar Diplomacy" — Enhancement of antitrust policies

nickname:

Big Will, Big Lub

vice-president:

James Sherman (1909-1912), none (1912-1913)

previous office

10th Chief Justice of USA

key background fact:

Successful 1st governor of Philippines, Roosevelt's’ Sec.of War

occupation

Judge, Dean of Law School

military service

none

children

3: 2 boys 1 girl

wife:

Helen Herron (1886)

height

6' 0'' / 1.83 m

higher education

University of Cincinnati, Yale

religion

Unitarian

quote

"Don't write so that you can be understood, write so that you can't be misunderstood."

www.best-quotations.com

actions & events

Record antitrust suits
1912 New states: Arizona & New Mexico.
1912 US dept. of Commerce created

economy

1909 Payne-Aldrich Tariff. Unpopular. Duties remain high.
US Steel prosecution, made Roosevelt mad.

foreign affairs

'Dollar Diplomacy' ; State dept. coordinates loans to countries

military activity

1912 2500 troops were sent to Nicaragua to protect US interests

unique facts

The heaviest president (332)
The only president to serve as a Chief Justice (after the presidency)
The first to throw out the first ball of baseball season

interesting

Once he was stuck in a large bath tub in the White House (urban legend).
Loved milk and had his own cow in the White House
His life dream was to become Chief Justice.

military activity

1912 2500 troops were sent to Nicaragua to protect US interests

Legacy

A good administrator but without exceptional political and leadership skills. He failed to rise adequately to the challenges of the times, despite his many strong qualities.

Problems with Teddy lurking