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Five Obscure but Interesting 19th Century US Presidents
Everybody has heard of famous US presidents such as Lincoln, Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, and Jefferson. History buffs know prominent 19th century presidents such as Ulysses S. Grant (R-Ohio), William McKinley (R-Ohio), and James K. Polk (D-Tennessee).
However, even most history buffs are ignorant of most 19th century US presidents. They may not recognize Franklin Pierce (D-New Hampshire) or John Tyler (D-Virginia). Yet those men were presidents.
Yet studying obscure presidents can teach us a great deal about the presidency and America. Some interesting 19th century presidents you never heard of include:
1. Benjamin Harrison (R-Indiana)
Benjamin Harrison was the only president who was the grandson of a president. His paternal grandfather was the first Whig President, William Henry Harrison (W-Ohio).
In 1888, Benjamin Harrison became one of five presidents elected without the popular vote. Harrison won the Electoral College by a margin of 58.1% (233 votes) but lost the popular vote to President Grover Cleveland (D-New York) by a margin of 48.6% to 47.8%. Cleveland lost the Electoral College by a margin of 41.9% (168 votes) because of dissension in the Democratic Party.