He succeeded Theodore Roosevelt and was later defeated by Woodrow Wilson after serving just one term. Taft was the tenth Republican to hold the office.
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing around 330 pounds (150 kg) during his presidency, Taft's size became a frequent topic of jokes. He once got stuck in the White House bathtub and had to be helped out by aides - leading to the installation of an extra-large tub that could reportedly fit four men.
After a falling out with his predecessor Theodore Roosevelt, who ran against him under the new Progressive “Bull Moose” Party, Taft’s Republican vote was split — allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win easily. Taft received only 8 electoral votes, the worst result for any sitting U.S. President seeking re-election.
At just 32 years old, Taft became Solicitor General of the United States in 1890, representing the federal government in Supreme Court cases — still the youngest person to hold that position.
Later in life, Taft was gifted a cane made from ancient petrified wood estimated to be a quarter of a million years old, crafted by Canadian geology professor W.S. Foster.
Taft is the only person in U.S. history to serve as both President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court — a role he considered more rewarding than the presidency. He served as Chief Justice from 1921 until shortly before his death in 1930.
Taft was the first U.S. President to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game - a tradition that began in 1910 and continues today, though Jimmy Carter, Joe Biden and Donald Trump (so far) never did it while in office.
To ensure a fresh milk supply, Taft had a cow named Pauline Wayne graze on the White House lawn. She was the last cow to live at the presidential residence.
Taft became the first President laid to rest at Arlington in 1930. The only other President buried there since is John F. Kennedy, who was interred following his assassination in 1963.
Taft was the first President to own cars while in office, one of which was a Baker Electric, a very early electric car (and you thought electric cars were a new invention!). He nearly became the first President to get a speeding ticket when his vehicle exceeded the 8 mph limit in Massachusetts - but the officer let him off when he realised who he was.
