Grover Cleveland: the record and the legends

Uncle Jumbo. The 22nd president, 1885-1889, 1893-1897, from New York. 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: 22nd
In office: 1885-1889, 1893-1897
Home state: New York
Party: Democratic
Height: 5'11"

The record

RecordIn 1893 doctors found a tumor in Cleveland's mouth in the middle of a financial panic. So he had it cut out in secret on a friend's yacht, disguised as a fishing trip, and went back to work. The public didn't find out until 1917.Source: Grover Cleveland Birthplace, Grover Cleveland's Secret Surgery
RecordIn 1886 Cleveland married Frances Folsom in the Blue Room, with John Philip Sousa leading the Marine Band. He's the only president ever married inside the White House.Source: White House Historical Association, The Life and Presidency of Grover Cleveland
RecordCleveland lost in 1888. On the way out, Frances told a White House staffer to keep things ready, because they'd be back in four years. They were, and he's still the only president with two terms that aren't back to back.Source: White House Historical Association, The Life and Presidency of Grover Cleveland
RecordWhen allies warned him a stand would cost him votes, Cleveland asked what the use was of being elected unless you stand for something.Source: White House Historical Association, The Life and Presidency of Grover Cleveland

The legends

LegendSince he's counted as the 22nd and the 24th president, people sometimes think there were two Grover Clevelands. There was one. Benjamin Harrison's term just sits in the middle.Source: Miller Center, Cleveland: Life in Brief

What he cared about

Lower tariffs, even when it cost him politically.
The gold standard. He thought paper money had to be backed by gold.
Staying out of overseas expansion. He blocked annexing Hawaii after its queen was overthrown.

The full record

He signed the Dawes Act of 1887, which broke tribal land into individual plots, and Native nations lost about 90 million acres under it by 1934.

How he fights in POTUS KO

Nearly 300 pounds and a bulldog jaw

Cleveland was big, stubborn and almost impossible to move, from hundreds of vetoes to a comeback four years after losing. In the ring he's a heavy brawler who wears you down.

See POTUS KO

Questions about Grover Cleveland

Were there two Grover Clevelands?

Since he's counted as the 22nd and the 24th president, people sometimes think there were two Grover Clevelands. There was one. Benjamin Harrison's term just sits in the middle.

Did Grover Cleveland have secret surgery?

In 1893 doctors found a tumor in Cleveland's mouth in the middle of a financial panic. So he had it cut out in secret on a friend's yacht, disguised as a fishing trip, and went back to work. The public didn't find out until 1917.

Did Grover Cleveland get married in the White House?

In 1886 Cleveland married Frances Folsom in the Blue Room, with John Philip Sousa leading the Marine Band. He's the only president ever married inside the White House.