William Henry Harrison
Imagine being president and your term being known as a tragedy? That was unfortunately the case with the 9th president of the U.S., William Henry Harrison. Harrison actually died in the Presidential office, being the record-holder for the shortest term in office…a mere 31 days. Many claim that he died from catching pneumonia after his inauguration which happened to be on a very rainy and brisk day. William rode on horseback, refusing to wear a warm jacket and then proceeded to give a 2-hour speech in the nasty weather. Harrison is also known as “Old Tippecanoe” for leading the US troops to victory in the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe. Can you believe Harrison was the first sitting president to be photographed? Too bad it was lost over the years. The Harrison lineage is actually very strong with William’s father being Benjamin Harrison, a founding father, and his grandson, with the same name, going on to become the 23rd president.
William Henry Harrison