Benjamin Harrison

by Bruce Adelson

Learn about the life of this president.

111 pages, Library Binding

First published June 6, 2006

Reviews

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a brief history of the Presidency of Benjamin Harrison. If remembered at all, his presidency (1889-1893) was known as the single term between Grover Cleveland’s two terms. Born in Ohio in 1833 of storied lineage, he was the great grandson of the Benjamin Harrison who signed the Declaration of Independence and the grandson of President William Henry Harrison. After college, he moved to Indiana, his home state for the rest of his life, becoming known as the Hoosier President.

Any legislative accomplishments were gained in his first year of office, the most important being the Sherman Antitrust Act to restrain the growing number of business monopolies in the Gilded Age, still used today to break up huge conglomerates that prevent open market competition.

Once the Democrats won the House in 1890, he wasn’t able to do much. Most disappointing was his inability to achieve securing federal funds for public education and voting rights for African Americans in the South.

I enjoyed learning who he was and what he stood for - all good things to know.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book on president Harrison was interesting. He comes from a long line of famous patriots. But the book contained just your basic information and not anything really exciting or controversial.