Benjamin Harrison (1833 – 1901) [cite this] More images » Life in Brief: Benjamin Harrison was born in 1833 in North Bend, Ohio, to a prominent family that had a legacy of political activism. After all, he was the grandson of the nation's ninth President, William Henry Harrison. Raised on a farm adjacent to his grandf… more life in brief » Essays about Benjamin Harrison Life in Brief Life in Brief: Benjamin Harrison was born in 1833 in North Bend, Ohio, to a prominent family that had a legacy of political activism. After all, he was the grandson of the nation's ninth President, William Henry Harrison. Raised on a farm adjacent to his grandfather's vast estate, Harrison believed he was … Life Before the Presidency Life Before the Presidency: Benjamin Harrison came to the presidency with little executive experience but great confidence in his own abilities. Born into a family with a legacy of political involvement, Benjamin Harrison believed that he was destined for important work. After all, he was the great-grandson of Colonel Benj… Campaigns and Elections Campaigns and Elections: The Campaign and Election of 1888: In the Mugwump revolt of reform Republicans against the candidacy of Senator James G. Blaine of Maine in 1884, Benjamin Harrison carefully walked the middle ground. Refusing to put his hat in the presidential ring, he eventually supported Blaine with energy and en…Domestic Affairs Domestic Affairs: Although Harrison never managed to put his stamp on the office and failed to win reelection, his administration functioned efficiently, faced tough issues decisively, and proved remarkably productive. At that time, the House of Representatives was controlled by Speaker Thomas Reed, who was considere…Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs: No President since Lincoln pursued a more active foreign agenda than Benjamin Harrison. Historians have long debated the extent of Harrison's foreign policy role in comparison to the influence of his secretary of state, James G. Blaine, traditionally seeing Harrison as following Blaine's lea…Life After the Presidency Life After the Presidency: Benjamin Harrison, the last Civil War general to serve as President, died from pneumonia on March 13, 1901, at his home in Indianapolis. He had spent the following his presidency as an "elder statesman." Harrison delivered a series of lectures on constitutional law at Stanford University a…Family Life Family Life: Although stiff and formal with acquaintances, Benjamin Harrison opened up with his family. During his one term as President, he spent as little time as possible in the office, usually working only until noon. He loved to play with his grandchildren, many of whom had moved into the White House with t…The American Franchise The American Franchise: At noon on April 22, 1889, just a few weeks after Harrison’s inauguration, a gunshot signaled the opening of the Indian Territory in Oklahoma—some 1.9 million acres—to white settlers. That day, 20,000 people crossed into the territory, claiming all the available acreage. This event in Oklahoma…Impact and Legacy Impact and Legacy: Coffee-table history books depict Benjamin Harrison as a lightweight puppet of political party bosses. He is often viewed as little more than a "human iceberg" who sleepwalked through the presidency. We are told that while he could sway a crowd of 30,000 with powerful speeches, he coul… About His Administration First Lady Caroline Harrison Vice President Levi P. Morton Secretary of State John W. Foster (1892–1893) James G. Blaine (1889–1892) Secretary of the Interior John W. Noble (1889–1893) Attorney General William H. Miller (1889–1893) Postmaster General John Wanamaker (1889–1893) Secretary of the Treasury Charles Foster (1891–1893) William Windom (1889–1891) Secretary of Agriculture Jeremiah M. Rusk (1889–1893) Secretary of the Navy Benjamin F. Tracy (1889–1893) Secretary of War Stephen B. Elkins (1891–1893) Redfield Proctor (1889–1891) Facts about Benjamin Harrison Term: 23rd President of the United States (1889 – 1893) Born: August 20, 1833, North Bend, Ohio Political Party: Republican Died: March 13, 1901 Nickname: “Kid Gloves Harrison,” “Little Ben” Education: Miami University (Ohio), graduated 1852 Religion: Presbyterian Marriage: October 20, 1853, to Caroline Lavinia Scott (1832–1892). April 6, 1896, to Mary Scott Lord Dimmick (1858–1948) Children: Russell Benjamin (1854–1936), Mary Scott (1858–1930), Elizabeth (1897–1955) Career: Lawyer Buried: Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana WritingsThis Country of Ours (1897), Views of An Ex-President (1901) Benjamin Harrison Image Gallery More images » Shall the prejudices and paralysis of slavery continue to hang upon the skirts of progress? March 4, 1889 Citation Information Consulting Editor Allan B. Spetter Professor Spetter is a professor emeritus of history at Wright State University. His writings include: The Presidency of Benjamin Harrison (Co-authored with Homer E. Socolofsky, University Press of Kansas, 1987) William McKinley » « Grover Cleveland American President has changed! Click here to take a short survey and tell us what you think!