William Henry Harrison b. 9 Feb 1773, "Berkeley Plantation", Charles City County, Virginia d. 4 Apr 1841, Washington, D.C. Title: President of the United States Term: 4 Mar 1841 - 4 Apr 1841 Chronology: 10 Feb 1841, election to the office of President of the United States is declared upon counting electoral votes (cast 1 Dec 1840), joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, House Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. [1] 4 Mar 1841, commencement of term 4 Mar 1841, took an oath of office as President of the United States, inaugural ceremony as part of the special session of the Senate, East Portico, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. [2] 4 Apr 1841, died [3] Biography: Pursued classical studies; attended Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia; studied medicine; entered the Army in 1798 as an ensign in the First Infantry, served in the Indian wars, and rose to the rank of lieutenant; resigned from the Army in 1798; appointed secretary of the Northwest Territory 1798-1799; elected as a Delegate from the Northwest Territory to the 6th Congress (4 Mar 1799 - 14 May 1800); resigned to become Territorial Governor of Indiana (13 May 1800 - 28 Dec 1812) and also Indian commissioner; defeated the Indians at Tippecanoe (7 Nov 1811); major general in the US Army in the War of 1812; resigned from the Army in 1814; head commissioner to treat with the Indians; elected to the 14th Congress to fill a vacancy; reelected to the 15th Congress (8 Oct 1816 - 4 Mar 1819); unsuccessful candidate for governor, Ohio in 1820; member, State senate (1819-1821); presidential elector in Ohio in 1822; unsuccessful candidate for House of Representatives in 1822; elected to the Senate (4 Mar 1825 - 20 May 1828); Minister to Colombia (1828-1829); chairman, Committee on Military Affairs (19th and 20th Congresses); unsuccessful Whig candidate for president in 1836 (lost the election to Democrat Martin Van Buren); elected President of the United States (1840); died of pneumonia one month after his inauguration. Biographical sources: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (2005). Elections: Candidate Electoral vote (1 Dec 1840) William Henry Harrison 234 Martin Van Buren 60 total number of electors appointed 294 number of votes for a majority 148 Source of electoral results: Congressional Globe, 26th Congress, 2nd Session, 160. [1] Congressional Globe, 26th Congress, 2nd Session, 159-160. [2] Congressional Globe, 26th Congress, 2nd Session, 232-236. [3] Daily National Intelligencer, Washington: Monday, April 5, 1841. Image: Portrait of William Henry Harrison by Albert Gallatin Hoit. Last updated on: 09 Apr 2016 21:00:00
