William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison (1773-1841)

William Henry Harrison was born in 1773 as the son of a politically active family. His father, for example, had been involved in the American Revolution and the Independency movement.

Harrison himself became governor of Indiana and was later appointed senator for Ohio. His political opinion expressed support for the settlement further west and for military forces against Indians. His nickname “The General who saved the Northwest” was a result from the battle of Tippecanoe on November 7th 1811.

In the election of 1836 Harrison was on the list for potential presidential candidates, but he could not win the party intern election against van Buren.

At the age of 68 Harrison finally became president and therefore was the oldest president so far until Ronald Reagan, who became president in 1981. Harrison presidency only lasted 31 days for he died from the pneumonia he had gotten during his speech at the day of his inauguration.  He therefore remained the President who was in control for the shortest time.

"I believe and I say it is true Democratic feeling, that all the measures of the Government are directed to the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer." (William Henry Harrison)