William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft Yale College BA 1878

President Taft and the Sultan of Sulu (1913)

Taft crown prince

Wm H Taft smiling 1908

1908RepublicanPoster

ElectoralCollege1908

William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 – March 8, 1930) was the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913, and later became the 10th Chief Justice of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death in 1930. He is the only person to have held both offices, making him a unique figure in the history of the United States.

Early Life and Career

Taft was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, into the Taft family, a prominent political family. He graduated from Yale University in 1878 and from Cincinnati Law School in 1880. He began his political career in Ohio, serving as a judge and later as the Solicitor General of the United States. In 1900, President William McKinley appointed him as the Governor-General of the Philippines, where he served until 1904. Following his service in the Philippines, Taft was appointed as Secretary of War by President Theodore Roosevelt, who later supported Taft's candidacy for the presidency.

Presidency

Taft won the 1908 United States presidential election as the candidate of the Republican Party, succeeding Theodore Roosevelt. As president, Taft focused on progressive era reforms, antitrust legislation, and strengthening the Interstate Commerce Commission. However, his administration was marked by internal divisions within the Republican Party, particularly between the conservative wing, which Taft belonged to, and the more progressive wing, led by Roosevelt.

Post-Presidency

After losing the 1912 United States presidential election to Woodrow Wilson, Taft returned to Yale as a professor of law. In 1921, he achieved his lifelong ambition of being appointed as the Chief Justice of the United States by President Warren G. Harding. As Chief Justice, Taft advocated for the modernization and reform of the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary system. He served in this role until his death in 1930.

Legacy

Taft's legacy is complex. As president, he is often overshadowed by his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, and his successor, Woodrow Wilson. However, his contributions to the judiciary, particularly his efforts to improve the efficiency of the Supreme Court, have been recognized as significant. His unique distinction of having served as both President and Chief Justice of the United States underscores his important role in American political and legal history. 0