William Henry Harrison was an American military officer and politician who served as the ninth president of the United States for 31 days in 1841, becoming the first president to die in office and the shortest-serving U.S. president in history. His death sparked a brief constitutional crisis regarding succession to the presidency. Harrison was born in Charles City County, Virginia, a son of Founding Father Benjamin Harrison V. He was the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States. He was the last president born as a British subject in the Thirteen Colonies. During his early military career, he participated in the 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers, an American military victory that effectively ended the Northwest Indian War. Later, he led a military force against Tecumseh's Confederacy at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, where he earned the nickname "Old Tippecanoe".
Born: | February 9, 1773, Charles City County, Virginia, British America |
Died: | April 4, 1841, Washington, D.C, U.S. |
Cause of death: | Pneumonia |
Resting place: | Harrison Tomb State Memorial |
Political party: | Democratic-Republican (before 1828), Whig (1836–1841) |
Children: | 10, including John and Carter |
Relatives: | Benjamin Harrison V (father), Benjamin Harrison (grandson), Carter Bassett Harrison (brother), Harrison family |
Education: | Hampden–Sydney College, University of Pennsylvania |
Civilian awards: | Congressional Gold Medal, Thanks of Congress |
Vice President: | John Tyler |
Preceded by: | Martin Van Buren |
Succeeded by: | John Tyler |
About William Henry Harrison
Ninth president of the United States, the first to die in office, and the last to be born before the Declaration of Independence was written.
William Henry Harrison Before Fame
He briefly studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania until a lack of funds led him to join the army.
Achievement of William Henry Harrison
He died after only 32 days in office. His death led to the passage of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution that would settle many issues regarding presidential succession.
William Henry Harrison Family Life
His father was revolutionary leader and Founding Father Benjamin Harrison V.
Associations of William Henry Harrison
His inaugural speech lasted for almost two hours in spite of being edited by Daniel Webster.
Information related to William Henry Harrison
- William Henry Harrison Category
- Curse of Tippecanoe - The Curse of Tippecanoe is the supposed pattern of deaths in office of presidents of the United States who won the elections in years that are evenly divisible by 20, since the 1840 election. Because of the timing of presidential elections, these are also those taking place in years ending with 0.
- Presidents of the United States on U.S. postage stamps - Presidents of the United States have frequently appeared on U.S. postage stamps since the mid-19th century. The United States Post Office Department released its first two postage stamps in 1847, featuring George Washington on one, and Benjamin Franklin on the other.
- Second Party System - Historians and political scientists use Second Party System to periodize the political party system operating in the United States from about 1828 to 1852, after the First Party System ended.
- Carter family of Virginia
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