William taft biography for kids

William Howard Taft was born on September 15, , in Cincinnati, Ohio, to judge Alphonso Taft and his wife Louisa. He graduated from Yale, and then returned to Ohio, studied at the Cincinnati Law School, and began his law practice. He made a swift climb in politics through Republican judiciary appointments, while a seat on the Supreme Court was his ultimate ambition. His route to the White House was mapped gradually through ever more prestigious posts beginning in when President William McKinley appointed him civil governor of the Philippines. During his tenure, he improved the economy, built roads and schools, and gave the Filipino people limited participation in government. In President Theodore Roosevelt returned him to Washington to serve as sekreterare of war, and in he received the Republican presidential nomination. He won the election and was inaugurated in March

Taft pledged to continue Roosevelt's presidential agenda, pleasing Progressives who said that "Roosevelt has cut e

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Distinguished jurist, effective administrator, but poor politician, William Howard Taft spent four uncomfortable years in the White House. Large, jovial, conscientious, he was caught in the intense battles between Progressives and conservatives, and got scant credit for the achievements of his administration.

Born in , the son of a distinguished judge, he graduated from Yale, and returned to Cincinnati to study and practice lag. He rose in politics through Republican judiciary appointments, through his own competence and availability, and because, as he once wrote facetiously, he always had his "plate the right side up when offices were falling."

But Taft much preferred lag to politics. He was appointed a Federal circuit judge at He aspired to be a member of the Supreme Court, but his wife, Helen Herron Taft, held other ambitions for him.

His route to the White House was via administrative posts. President McKinley sent him to the Philippines in as chief civil administra

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William Howard Taft facts for kids

"William Taft" redirects here. For other uses, see William Taft (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids William Howard Taft
Portrait by Harris & Ewing, c.
27th President of the United States
In office March 4,  – March 4,
Vice President
Preceded by	Theodore Roosevelt
Succeeded by	Woodrow Wilson
10th Chief Justice of the United States
In office July 11,  – February 3,
Nominated by	Warren G. Harding
Preceded by	Edward Douglass White
Succeeded by	Charles Evans Hughes
42nd United States Secretary of War
In office February 1,  – June 30,
President	Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by	Elihu Root
Succeeded by	Luke Edward Wright
1st Provisional Governor of Cuba
In office September 29,  – October 13,
Appointed by	Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by	Tomás Estrada Palma (as President)
Succeeded by	Charles Edward Magoon
Governor-General of the Philippines
In