William Howard Taft
- Born:
- September 15, 1857, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Died:
- March 8, 1930, Washington, D.C., USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Judge, Politician, 27th President of the United States, 10th Chief Justice of the United States
Early Life and Education
- Born into a prominent political family; his father, Alphonso Taft, served as Attorney General and Secretary of War.
- Graduated from Yale University in 1878, second in his class.
- Studied law at Cincinnati Law School, graduating in 1880.
Career and Major Achievements
- Admitted to the Ohio bar in 1880.
- Served as a judge on the Ohio Superior Court from 1887 to 1890.
- Appointed Solicitor General of the United States in 1890.
- Served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from 1892 to 1900.
- Governor-General of the Philippines from 1901 to 1904.
- Secretary of War under President Theodore Roosevelt from 1904 to 1908.
- Elected as the 27th President of the United States in 1908, serving from 1909 to 1913.
- Appointed Chief Justice of the United States in 1921, serving until 1930. He is the only person to have served as both President and Chief Justice.
Notable Works
- Judicial opinions as a judge on the Ohio Superior Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals.
- Presidential addresses and messages to Congress.
- Served as a mediator in labor disputes.
- Supported the Mann-Elkins Act of 1910, which expanded the Interstate Commerce Commission's authority.
Legacy and Impact
William Howard Taft's legacy is complex, encompassing his time as president, his later role as Chief Justice, and the era in which he lived. While his presidency is often viewed as less dynamic than his predecessor's, his tenure as Chief Justice is highly regarded. A closer examination of Taft's life can be found in numerous biographical works, including the 'rosalie jean willis biography of william', offering valuable insight into his contributions.