🇺🇸 William Howard Taft Biography for Students – The 27th President and Chief Justice

🧭 Introduction

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. He is the only person in U.S. history to serve as both president and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Taft was known for his calm and careful leadership. Though he followed many of Theodore Roosevelt’s progressive ideas, he preferred working behind the scenes. After leaving the presidency, he achieved his lifelong dream—leading the highest court in the land.

👶 Early Life and Education

William Howard Taft was born on September 15, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was a respected judge and government official. Taft grew up in a family that valued law, service, and hard work.

He attended Yale University, where he was a top student and a talented debater. He later studied law and became a judge at a young age. People often said Taft was smart, polite, and well-liked, but not very ambitious in politics—he preferred the courtroom to campaigning.

🏛 Political Career Before Presidency

Taft held many important jobs before becoming president:

• State judge in Ohio
• U.S. Solicitor General – argued cases before the Supreme Court
• Federal judge
• Governor of the Philippines – appointed by President McKinley
• Secretary of War under President Theodore Roosevelt

Roosevelt admired Taft’s fairness and skill and helped him get nominated for president in 1908.

🇺🇸 Presidency Overview (1909–1913)

Taft became president after winning the 1908 election, but his term was more difficult than expected. People hoped he would continue Roosevelt’s progressive reforms, but Taft had his own way of doing things. He believed in following the law strictly and avoiding bold or emotional decisions.

Main goals and actions:

• Trust-busting: Broke up more monopolies than Roosevelt did
• Expanded civil service reform
• Supported the 16th Amendment, allowing a federal income tax
• Strengthened interstate commerce rules

However, Taft had trouble with:

• Conservation issues, where he clashed with Roosevelt’s allies
• Losing support from progressive Republicans

Eventually, Roosevelt ran against Taft in 1912, splitting the Republican vote.

⚖️ Trust-Busting and Legal Reforms

Even though Roosevelt was famous for busting trusts, Taft actually filed more antitrust lawsuits. He believed big companies should follow the law and be fair to workers and consumers.

He created:

• The Bureau of Mines, to protect natural resources
• New rules for railroads, businesses, and post offices
• A more organized system of government regulation

Taft was quiet but effective in making sure laws were followed correctly.

🗳️ Election of 1912 and Political Trouble

By 1912, many progressives were unhappy with Taft. Roosevelt returned to politics and formed the Progressive Party (or Bull Moose Party) to challenge him.

The election had three major candidates:

• William Howard Taft (Republican)
• Theodore Roosevelt (Progressive)
• Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)

Because Roosevelt and Taft split the Republican vote, Woodrow Wilson won. Taft came in third, and it was a tough ending to his presidency.

⚖️ Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Taft always said his real dream was to be on the Supreme Court, not in politics. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed him Chief Justice of the United States.

As Chief Justice (1921–1930), Taft:

• Modernized the court system
• Helped build the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.
• Improved how cases were handled

He is still remembered as an excellent legal leader and the only president to later serve on the Court.

🧾 Legacy and Historical Impact

William Howard Taft’s legacy includes:

• Serving in all three branches of government: executive, judicial, and legal
• Supporting rule of law and constitutional government
• Helping shape America’s modern legal and justice systems

Though not as famous as Roosevelt, Taft is respected for being a steady, thoughtful, and honest public servant.

👨‍👩‍👧 Personal Life and Family

Taft married Helen “Nellie” Herron Taft, a smart and politically active First Lady. They had three children. Helen helped modernize the White House and introduced the tradition of planting cherry trees in Washington, D.C.

Taft loved food, baseball, and reading. He was a very large man, weighing over 300 pounds, but he had a gentle personality and a good sense of humor.

He died on March 8, 1930, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery—one of only two presidents buried there.

💬 Famous Quotes

“Don’t write so that you can be understood. Write so that you can’t be misunderstood.” — Taft believed in clarity and honesty.

“Presidents come and go, but the Supreme Court goes on forever.” — Taft admired the Court’s lasting role in protecting justice.

💡 Interesting Facts About William Howard Taft

• He was the heaviest U.S. president—over 300 pounds.
• He once got stuck in a White House bathtub (a bigger one was installed later!).
• He broke up more trusts than Roosevelt.
• He is the only person to serve as both president and Chief Justice.
• He was the first president to throw a ceremonial pitch at a Major League Baseball game.

📚 Vocabulary Words

👧 Kid-Friendly Summary

William Howard Taft was the 27th president and later became Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was quiet, smart, and fair. Taft followed the law carefully and broke up unfair companies. He didn’t like being in the spotlight and was happier as a judge than as president. Even though he lost an election to Woodrow Wilson, Taft is remembered for doing the right thing, working hard, and helping the government work better.

✅ Interactive Quiz

Q1: What number president was William Howard Taft?
A. 25th
B. 26th
C. 27th ✅
D. 28th

Q2: What other job did Taft hold after being president?
A. Secretary of State
B. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court ✅
C. Governor of New York
D. Vice President

Q3: What was Taft known for during his presidency?
A. Starting World War I
B. Trust-busting ✅
C. Building the Panama Canal
D. Creating Social Security

Q4: Who ran against Taft in 1912 as a third-party candidate?
A. Abraham Lincoln
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. Theodore Roosevelt ✅
D. George Washington

Q5: What tradition did Taft start in baseball?
A. Coaching a team
B. Singing the anthem
C. Throwing the first pitch ✅
D. Umpiring a game

Scoring:

    5/5 = ⭐ Taft Trivia Master

    3–4 = 👍 Great Effort

    1–2 = 📘 Time to Review