HARRISON, WILLIAM HENRY
William Henry Harrison was the ninth president of the United States. He served the shortest term of any U.S. president, dying just a month after assuming office.
Harrison was born February 9, 1773, in Charles City County, Virginia, the youngest of
seven children in a distinguished plantation family. His father, Benjamin Harrison V, served
in the House of Burgesses before the American Revolution, was later a member of the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Harrison was tutored at home in his early years. In 1787, at age fourteen, he entered Hampden-Sydney College for premedical studies, intending to become a doctor. In 1791, he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School to study under Dr. BENJAMIN RUSH, a noted physician. Later that year, following his father’s death and without
funds to continue school, Harrison decided to enlist in the Army and was commissioned an
ensign in the First Infantry, serving in the Northwest Territory.
Harrison rose quickly through the ranks of
the military, becoming a lieutenant in 1792 and
acting as aide-de-camp to Major General
Anthony (“Mad Anthony”) Wayne, who was
responsible for pacifying the Ottawa, Chippewa,
Shawnee, and Pottawatomie tribes. At the Battle
of Fallen Timbers, in August 1794, Harrison was
responsible for holding the line against the
tribes and received an official commendation
from General Wayne for his efforts. He was later
promoted to captain, but in 1798 resigned from
the Army.
Following his distinguished military service,
Harrison was appointed territorial secretary of
the Northwest Territory by President JOHN
ADAMS. The position paid well ($1,200 a year),
but Harrison did not find it particularly chal-
lenging. In 1799, he was appointed the terri-
tory’s first delegate to Congress, a nonvoting
position that authorized him only to introduce
legislation and participate in debate. Harrison
made the most of his office, introducing and
LOBBYING for passage of the Harrison Land Act
