Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)

As his Vice-President, he replaced Warren G. Harding as President when he died in office in 1923. He was re-elected for the Republican Party in 1925 and chose Charles G. Dawes as his Vice-President. He was succeeded in 1929 by Herbert Hoover. Born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Coolidge began his political career in Massachusetts, serving in various local and state positions before becoming Governor in 1919. In that capacity, he gained national attention during the Boston Police Strike of 1919, when he famously declared, "There is no right to strike against the public safety by anyone, anywhere, any time." His firm stance boosted his national profile and helped secure his nomination as Harding's running mate in 1920.

When Harding died unexpectedly in August 1923, Coolidge was sworn in as president by his father, a notary public, in a humble ceremony at the family home in Vermont. His presidency coincided with the Roaring Twenties, a period of unprecedented economic prosperity and cultural dynamism. Coolidge epitomized the era's conservative philosophy, believing that "the business of America is business." He championed limited government, reduced federal spending, and made significant tax cuts that particularly benefited wealthy Americans and large corporations. His administration oversaw a period of sustained economic growth, low unemployment, and rising stock prices.

Known for his laconic personality and dry wit, Coolidge earned the nickname "Silent Cal." Despite his reserved demeanor, he was the first president to make regular use of radio broadcasts to communicate with the American people. He chose not to seek a full term in 1928, adhering to his belief in limited presidential power. Coolidge's laissez-faire attitude towards economic policies are often credited with fueling the economic boom of the 1920s, though critics argue they also contributed to the conditions that led to the Wall Street Crash (1929) and the Great Depression of the 1930s that followed. He left office seven months before the Crash and witnessed the early stages of the economic collapse that followed his presidency. Despite his policies that favored the rich, ironically he was one of the poorest presidents. In 1905, he married Grace Goodhue and they had two sons.