Much is made about the father/son connection that has been seen twice in the Office of the President of the United States, but there is another family connection of note as well. Benjamin Harrison was the grandson of William Henry Harrison, who served as the 9th POTUS. Benjamin was just 7 years old when his grandfather was elected. He’s also the only President to lose a Presidential election to a former POTUS.
1. The Fateful Election of 1892
The Presidential election of 1892 might have been the most boring election in history. Both candidates never campaigned for the election at all. Harrison and Grover Cleveland both had representatives and surrogates who campaigned for them throughout the United States. Cleveland wound up defeating Harrison, making him the only non-consecutive President in history.
2. A Strong Voice
Harrison has another first that is to his credit. He is the first President to have had his voice recorded. A 36 second speech of Harrison’s was recorded onto a wax phonograph cylinder. Considering his reputation earned him the nickname “Iceberg,” that’s a pretty notable achievement indeed. Harrison was a stiff, formal fellow.
3. A Big Spender
Harrison was the first President to oversee a billion dollar budget that was approved by Congress. Considering he didn’t he win the popular vote [he won the electoral vote 233-168], he had a very unique way of governing. It’s said that he had the papers shuffled for North Dakota and South Dakota when they were approved to join the Union so he wouldn’t know who was signed first.
4. A Game Changer
Harrison also made history because of who he included with his cabinet. He appointed the first African American to a high-level position within the government, appointing Frederick Douglass, a former slave, to be the Minister to Haiti in 1889.
Benjamin Harrison installed electricity into the White House and wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed was right. His Presidency occurred in a transitory period for the United States, but he accomplishments are still quite notable. As he once said, great lives don’t just go out. They go on.
