Profile of the Day: President William Henry Harrison

On this day in 1773, William Henry Harrison, the 9th President of the United States, was born at Berkeley plantation in Virginia.

Image: William Henry Harrison / New York Public Library

Born on February 9, 1773, Harrison was the last U.S. president to be born as a British subject before American Independence. He was the youngest son of Benjamin Harrison V and Elizabeth Bassett and his family were prominent political figures. His father was a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence.

Harrison’s presidency holds the distinction of being the shortest in U.S. history. At 67, he was the oldest man to be elected to office at the time. He caught a cold during his inauguration and died of pneumonia after just 32 days in office. With his death, Harrison became the first U.S. president to die in office.

His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, would later become the 23rd President of the United States.

Explore William Henry Harrison’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to the former U.S. President!

View William Henry Harrison’s Geni Profile