William Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th president of the United States and the 10th chief justice of the United States.
President
September 15, 1857
Virgo
March 08, 1930
72
Cincinnati, Ohio
William Howard Taft (1857-1930) holds the unique distinction of being the only person in U.S. history to serve as both the 27th President (1909-1913) and the 10th Chief Justice of the United States (1921-1930). As President, Taft was Theodore Roosevelt’s chosen successor, elected in 1908. However, he lost his bid for re-election in 1912 to Woodrow Wilson in a three-way race that highlighted the rise of progressivism in presidential politics.
Throughout his career, Taft was known for his commitment to world peace, trust-busting activities against monopolies, and his support for the establishment of the League of Nations. He also played a significant role in overseeing infrastructure projects in the Philippines during its annexation by the United States and the construction of the Panama Canal during his presidency.
In addition to his political accomplishments, Taft authored several legal treatises, served as a law professor at Yale University, and was an avid golfer, even installing a golfing green on the White House lawn during his time as President. The William Howard Taft papers, consisting of approximately 676,000 documents, offer valuable insights into his personal life and public career.