Future President Benjamin Harrison

circa 1850

Benjamin Harrison, born on August 20, 1833, in Ohio, was the 23rd president of the United States, serving from 1889 to 1893. He came from a distinguished political family—his grandfather, William Henry Harrison, was the ninth president, making Benjamin the only president to have a grandfather who also served in the role.

Before his presidency, Harrison was a lawyer, a U.S. Senator from Indiana, and a veteran of the Civil War, where he served as a brigadier general. His presidential term is often remembered for several significant developments, including the Sherman Antitrust Act, which was aimed at breaking up monopolies, and the McKinley Tariff, which raised import duties.

Harrison also presided over the admission of six new states into the Union, expanding the nation's territory. On the foreign policy front, his administration saw the beginning of the U.S. Navy's modernization and the annexation of Hawaii.

However, Harrison's presidency was marred by economic struggles, particularly the Panic of 1893, a severe depression that led to widespread unemployment. After losing his bid for re-election in 1892 to Grover Cleveland, Harrison retired to private life. He passed away on March 13, 1901, but remains remembered for his role in expanding America's influence both domestically and internationally.