Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901)Twenty-third President (1889-1893)
Much like his presidential grandfather William Henry Harrison, Benjamin Harrison did not owe his White House nomination of 1888 to lustrous performances in lesser political offices. Rather, he was a safe, clean, and loyal Republican. That, along with his kinship with a former President, seemed to be quite enough to earn him his party's endorsement.
Known as the "iceberg," Harrison was unusually detached from the normal hurly-burly of politics, and in domestic matters, his presidential style was essentially passive. As a result, he took little part in shaping the major congressional measures of his administration, including the landmark Sherman Antitrust Act. In foreign policy, however, Harrison exercised more influence, and his enthusiasm for a stronger American posture in the international arena foreshadowed this country's emergence as a world power after 1900.
This drawing of Harrison is thought to be a preliminary sketch for a large formal
portrait by Eastman Johnson, which hangs today in the White House.
Eastman Johnson (1824-1906)
This folk portrayal of Benjamin Harrison is a memento from his 1888 presidential
campaign. Among the noteworthy aspects of the contest were the funds raised to
promote Harrison's candidacy. Built up largely through donations from eastern
businessmen who warmly supported Harrison's call for high protective tariff, his
presidential war chest contained in excess of $3 million. It was an extraordinarily
large amount in the late nineteenth century.
Unidentified artist
Charcoal and chalk on paper, circa 1895
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
NPG.68.4
Enlarged image
Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901)
Twenty-third President (1889-1893)
woodcarving, 1888
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
NPG.77.249
Enlarged image
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