Contents
16 Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)
- Full name: Abraham Lincoln
- Born: February 12, 1809
- Died: April 15, 1865
- Age at inauguration: 52
- Political party: Republican
- Known for: One of the most famous assassination victim in history, killed in the beginning of his second term. After taking over from Buchanan, considered one of the worst, if not the worst president, Lincoln is consistently mentioned as the best president or at least listed in the top 3. He is most known for his active struggle against slavery and preserving the Union through the American Civil War.
- What you may not know about Lincoln: In 1842 Lincoln was challenged to a duel by James Shields for putting him to shame in a series of letters. He accepted, but demanded it took place on Bloody Island, fighting with broadswords at the bottom of a pit. Lincoln’s huge appearance and his ability to handle a broadsword made Shields back down and simply asked for a regular apology.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. -Abraham Lincoln
17 Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
- Full name: Andrew Johnson
- Born: December 29, 1808
- Died: July 31, 1875
- Age at inauguration: 57
- Political party: Democratic
- Known for: Another president that lingers on the bottom of the pile when it comes to favorite US Presidents. He was very disliked in Congress and was also the first president to suffer impeachment, only saved by a single vote from being convicted and losing his presidency.
- What you may not know about Johnson: At the inauguration of Lincoln second term as of Johnson’s Vice Presidency (March 4, 1864), Johnson drank so much that he embarrassed everyone and himself during his speech.
Slavery exists. It is black in the South, and white in the North. -Andrew Johnson
18 Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)
- Full name: Hiram Ulysses Grant (mistakenly put on record at West Point Military Academy as Ulysses S. Grant)
- Born: April 27, 1822
- Died: July 23, 1885
- Age at inauguration: 46
- Political party: Republican
- Known for: Major successes as a commander in the Civil War. Defeated the Confederate Army under his presidency. Grant also fought for African American citizenship and to defeat the Ku Klux Klan. Despite his popularity and successes, Grant was to be believed to run the most corrupt administration in American history. His reputation only improved after 1990 and as late as 2001 and even 2012 when historians and biographers stood up in Grant’s favor.
- What you may not know about Grant: It is often said that Grant was a softie. For one he was so scared of blood, that he even refused to eat meat that wasn’t well-done or near-charred. He also reportedly sat in his room sobbing like a maniac on his wedding day, scared of what may come. This comes as a big contrast to his former day-job in the American Civil War. After his presidency, Grant went completely bankrupt and financially ruined after investing in his son’s Wall Street escapade called Grant & Ward, basically one of the first actual “Ponzi Schemes”, although Charles Ponzi was only about 1 year old at that time.
I have never advocated war except as a means of peace. -Ulysses S. Grant
19 Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
- Full name: Rutherford Birchard Hayes
- Born: October 4, 1822
- Died: January 17, 1893
- Age at inauguration: 54
- Political party: Republican
- Known for: Hayes became president after the most confusing and criticized elections of the time. Many democrats believed that Hayes’ opponent Samuel J. Tilden had been cheated. The only way for them to acknowledge Hayes’ presidency was through the Compromise of 1877 which included a number of Democrat terms that were agreed upon by President Hayes’ administration.
- What you may not know about Hayes: Hayes signed the “Act to Relieve Certain Legal Disabilities of Women” in 1879 which gave women the right to argue cases in federal court.
Conscience is the authentic voice of God to you. -Rutherford B. Hayes
20 James A. Garfield (1881-1881)
- Full name: James Abram Garfield
- Born: November 19, 1831
- Died: September 19, 1881
- Age at inauguration: 50
- Political party: Republican
- Known for: Garfield was assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881 and died of complications of his wounds 200 days after his inauguration on September 19th, 1881.
- What you may not know about Garfield: During his short term Garfield made a fair number of accomplishments, among which the appointment of several African-Americans to prominent federal positions and he improved civil rights for African-Americans.
He who controls the money supply of a nation controls the nation. -James A. Garfield