President Harrison: A Successful Military Leader

Profiles in history: An ongoing series of lesser known but significant figures who shaped our world

Defeated president Martin Van Buren leaves Washington in a wagon pulled by his political allies. The new president William Henry Harrison stands on the steps to the right, behind Henry Clay, who holds an eviction notice and a key to the White House. Original Artwork; printed by H. R. Robinson. MPI/Getty Images

The Whig Party laid the groundwork for the Republican Party of today. Between the 1830s and late 1850s, distinguished statesmen in the party, including Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, advocated for entrepreneurship, social reform, and less government for the new nation.

William Henry Harrison ran on the Whig platform and was elected president in 1840, but he held the office only 32 days, the shortest in U.S. history.