William H. TaftWilliam H. Taft a.k.a “Old Bill” a.k.a “Old Bill”

By Dylan KinneyBy Dylan Kinney

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Years In Office:1909-1913Years In Office:1909-1913

William’s Early BiographyWilliam’s Early Biography Taft attended Taft attended Woodward High SchoolWoodward High School[8][8] and, like most of his and, like most of his

family, attended family, attended Yale CollegeYale College in New Haven, Connecticut. in New Haven, Connecticut.[9][9] At Yale, he was a member of the At Yale, he was a member of the LinonianLinonian Society Society, a literary , a literary and debating society; and debating society; Skull and BonesSkull and Bones, the secret society co-, the secret society co-founded by his father in 1832; and the Beta chapter of the founded by his father in 1832; and the Beta chapter of the Psi UpsilonPsi Upsilon fraternity. He was given the nickname "Big Lub " fraternity. He was given the nickname "Big Lub " because of his size, but his college friends knew him by the because of his size, but his college friends knew him by the nickname "Old Bill".nickname "Old Bill".[10][10] Taft received insults about his Taft received insults about his weight throughout his life: as Governor-General of the weight throughout his life: as Governor-General of the Philippines, Taft once sent a telegram to Washington, D.C. Philippines, Taft once sent a telegram to Washington, D.C. that read, "Went on a horse ride today; feeling good;" that read, "Went on a horse ride today; feeling good;" Secretary of War Secretary of War ElihuElihu Root Root replied, "How's the horse?" replied, "How's the horse?"[11][11] Despite his weight, Taft was at one point Yale's intramural Despite his weight, Taft was at one point Yale's intramural heavyweight wrestling champion.[12] In 1878, Taft heavyweight wrestling champion.[12] In 1878, Taft graduated from Yale, ranking second in his class out of 121.graduated from Yale, ranking second in his class out of 121.[10] After college, he attended Cincinnati Law School, [10] After college, he attended Cincinnati Law School, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1880. While in law graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1880. While in law school, he worked on the area newspaper school, he worked on the area newspaper The Cincinnati The Cincinnati CommercialCommercial. .

His Presidential AccomplishmentsHis Presidential Accomplishments

He signed a law to make New Mexico He signed a law to make New Mexico and Arizona states since they were and Arizona states since they were territories.territories.

He also signed a law to let states He also signed a law to let states choose their own senate.choose their own senate.

Interesting Facts About HimInteresting Facts About Him

William Howard Taft started the tradition William Howard Taft started the tradition of the president throwing out the first ball of the president throwing out the first ball at the beginning of the baseball season.at the beginning of the baseball season.

He gained 50 pounds in 1 term, and then He gained 50 pounds in 1 term, and then lost 75 pounds.lost 75 pounds.

He had a custom made bathtub because He had a custom made bathtub because he was fairly large.he was fairly large.

He was the governor of the Philippines. He was the governor of the Philippines. He drove a 1909 White SteamerHe drove a 1909 White Steamer Wrestling championship winner in 1878.Wrestling championship winner in 1878.

A Question I Would Ask HimA Question I Would Ask Him

What were some of accomplishments What were some of accomplishments that you made as governor of the that you made as governor of the Philippines?Philippines?