William Howard Taft was the 27th president of the United States and the tenth chief justice of the United States (1921–1930), the only person to have held both offices. Taft was elected president in 1908 but was defeated for re-election by Woodrow Wilson in 1912. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed Taft to be chief justice, a position he served until a month before his death in 1930.
Taft was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1857. After becoming a lawyer at Yale, Taft was appointed a judge while still in his twenties. In 1901, President William McKinley appointed Taft civilian governor of the Philippines. In 1904, Roosevelt made him Secretary of War, and he became Roosevelt's successor. Despite his personal ambition to become chief justice, Taft declined repeated offers of admittance to the Supreme Court of the United States.
While in the White House, he focused on East Asia more than European affairs and oftentimes propped up or removed Latin American governments. Taft strived to reduce trade tariffs, at that time a major source of government income. Unfortunately, due to controversy, Taft had a hard time during reelection and was ultimately defeated. He passed on March 8th, 1930.
Fun Facts:
- Taft was the heaviest president, weighing 332 pounds.
- Taft once fell asleep during a parade in which he was the main focus.
- He was the first president to have a presidential car and the last to own a cow. (for fresh milk).
William Howard Taft:
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