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Warren Harding
| Warren Harding is widely considered the worst President in American history. Financial impropriety was rampant in the administration. Harding died of natural causes while in office. |
Elected 1920
The Early Years
Warren Harding was born in a farmhouse in Corsica, Ohio. Throughout his childhood Harding performed farm chores at home. He was first taught at home by his mother. He received formal education at a one-room schoolhouse. At the age of 15, Harding entered Ohio Central College. In 1882 he graduated with a B.S., and gave the commencement address.
For one term after graduating from college, Harding taught school. He then briefly sold insurance. In 1884, with two partners, Harding purchased the Marion Star newspaper. He soon acquired full ownership of the paper.
In 1889 Harding successfully ran for Ohio State Senator. He served as Republican in the State Senate until 1903 when he became Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. He served as Lieutenant Governor until 1905. In 1910 he tried to oust the incumbent Democratic Governor but was unsuccessful.
In 1914 Harding was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 1921. Harding had a very undistinguished career in the Senate. He had one of the worse attendance records and his boldest effort in the Senate was his strong opposition to the League of Nations that he called: "a supergovernment of the nations which enter it or it will prove the colossal disappointment of that ages."
Accomplishements in Office
Warren Harding has consistently been rated as the worst President of the United States. His failings were only recognized after his term was over. During his Presidency, he was well-liked. His major election slogan had been "A Return to Normalcy." His Presidency saw the ascendancy of business interest in government. The Treasury Secretary was the multi-millionaire industrialist, Andrew Mellon.
After his death, the extent of the scandals occurring during his administration became known. The Attorney General was responsible for widespread graft, leading to a criminal trial. The head of the Veteran's Administration looted millions of dollars. The Secretary of the Interior was guilty of accepting a bribe to lease a US naval reserves to private oil companies. This became known as the Tea Pot Dome scandal.
The First Family
Father: George Tyron Harding
Mother: Phoebe Elizabeth Dickerson-Harding
Wife: Florence Mabel Kling DeWolfe
Major Events
Immigration Quota
Bureau of Budget
Washington Naval Convention
Klu Klux Klan Exposed
Harding Dies in Office
Cabinet
Secretary of State: Charles Evan Hughes Secretary of Treasury: Andrew Mellon Secretary of War: John Weeks Attorney General: Harry Daugherty Secretary of Navy: Edwin Denby Postmaster Generals: Will Hays Hubert Work Secretary of Interior: Albert Fall Hubert Work Secretary of Agriculture: Henry Wallace Secretary of Commerce: Herbert Hoover Secretary of Labor James Davis
Inaugural Address
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