Warren G. Harding (1865-1923)
29th President of the United States (1921-1923)
He was preceded in the Presidency by Woodrow Wilson and served two years of his term in office for the Republican Party before dropping dead of a heart attack in 1923 when he was replaced by his Vice-President, Calvin Coolidge. Born in Blooming Grove, Ohio, he began his career as a newspaper publisher, owning the Marion Star which provided him with local influence and connections that would later prove invaluable to his career in politics. As a Republican, he served in the Ohio State Senate from 1899 to 1903 and Lieutenant Governor of Ohio from 1904 to 1906. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1914, gaining a reputation for party loyalty and moderate conservatism, though he was not considered a particularly influential legislator.
The 1920 presidential election marked Harding's rise to national prominence. Running on a platform of "return to normalcy" after World War I and the Wilson administration, he won a decisive victory over Democratic candidate James M. Cox, capturing over 60% of the popular vote - one of the largest margins in presidential history. As president, he focused on domestic issues and isolationist foreign policy. His administration implemented pro-business policies, including tax cuts and reduced government regulation. He also signed the Budget & Accounting Act of 1921, which created the federal budget process. In foreign affairs, he convened the Washington Naval Conference, endorsing arms limitation treaties.
Harding's presidency was marred by several scandals involving his associates, most notably the "Teapot Dome" bribery scandal, though much of the real detail emerged after his death. His administration was also criticized for corruption among his appointees, whom he selected based on personal loyalty rather than qualifications. He died suddenly of what was likely a heart attack or stroke while on a speaking tour in San Francisco in August 1923, serving less than three years in office. His legacy remains mixed, with historians generally ranking him among the less effective presidents due to the scandals that plagued his administration. In 1891, he married Florence Kling and although they had no children of their own Harding was stepfather to her son by her first marriage.
The 1920 presidential election marked Harding's rise to national prominence. Running on a platform of "return to normalcy" after World War I and the Wilson administration, he won a decisive victory over Democratic candidate James M. Cox, capturing over 60% of the popular vote - one of the largest margins in presidential history. As president, he focused on domestic issues and isolationist foreign policy. His administration implemented pro-business policies, including tax cuts and reduced government regulation. He also signed the Budget & Accounting Act of 1921, which created the federal budget process. In foreign affairs, he convened the Washington Naval Conference, endorsing arms limitation treaties.
Harding's presidency was marred by several scandals involving his associates, most notably the "Teapot Dome" bribery scandal, though much of the real detail emerged after his death. His administration was also criticized for corruption among his appointees, whom he selected based on personal loyalty rather than qualifications. He died suddenly of what was likely a heart attack or stroke while on a speaking tour in San Francisco in August 1923, serving less than three years in office. His legacy remains mixed, with historians generally ranking him among the less effective presidents due to the scandals that plagued his administration. In 1891, he married Florence Kling and although they had no children of their own Harding was stepfather to her son by her first marriage.
