Benjamin Harrison: the record and the legends

Little Ben. The 23rd president, 1889-1893, from Indiana. Every story here is tagged Record, meaning it’s documented, or Legend, meaning it gets told a lot and doesn’t hold up. Each one links to its source.

President: 23rd
In office: 1889-1893
Home state: Indiana
Party: Republican
Height: 5'6"

The record

RecordHis Civil War soldiers called him Little Ben because he was so short. His answer was to pay a drill instructor out of his own pocket and study tactics late at night after they'd gone to sleep. The 70th Indiana became one of the best-drilled regiments around.Source: Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, The Civil War
RecordAt Resaca, Georgia, in 1864, Harrison led the charge that captured a Confederate battery of four cannons. That fight and Peachtree Creek got him promoted toward general.Source: Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, The Civil War
RecordHarrison's grandfather was President William Henry Harrison, and his great-grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence.Source: Miller Center, Benjamin Harrison: Life Before the Presidency
RecordSix states joined the Union during Harrison's one term: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming. No president since Washington had added more.Source: Miller Center, Benjamin Harrison: The American Franchise

The legends

LegendYou'll hear that Harrison was scared of electricity. The documented part is smaller. When the White House got wired in 1891, the usher Ike Hoover wrote that the family was afraid to work the switches, so the staff turned the lights on and off for them.Source: White House Historical Association, Benjamin Harrison

What he cared about

High tariffs. He signed the McKinley Tariff in 1890.
Reining in monopolies with the Sherman Antitrust Act, the first federal law of its kind.
A modern steel Navy and closer ties with the rest of the Americas.

The full record

The Great Sioux Reservation lost about 11 million acres during his term, and in December 1890, after his administration sent in more troops, soldiers killed at least 150 Lakota men, women and children at Wounded Knee.

How he fights in POTUS KO

Drilled harder than anyone in Sherman's army

Harrison was short, cold and methodical: he drilled his men until they didn't have to think. In the ring he's a precise boxer who waits for you to slip.

See POTUS KO

Questions about Benjamin Harrison

Was Benjamin Harrison afraid of electricity?

You'll hear that Harrison was scared of electricity. The documented part is smaller. When the White House got wired in 1891, the usher Ike Hoover wrote that the family was afraid to work the switches, so the staff turned the lights on and off for them.

How was Benjamin Harrison related to William Henry Harrison?

Harrison's grandfather was President William Henry Harrison, and his great-grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence.

How many states joined the Union under Benjamin Harrison?

Six states joined the Union during Harrison's one term: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming. No president since Washington had added more.