William Henry Harrison
Antebellum America
Harrison served only a month before dying in office, triggering the first presidential succession crisis under the Constitution.
The presidency in power
Shortest presidency in U.S. history
First president to die in office
Set precedent for vice-presidential succession
Sequence Recall
Term Structure
1841-03-04 to 1841-04-04
Elected by the Electoral CollegeDied in office after one month.
What This President Actually Did
Vice Presidents
Constitutional Themes
Death in office and succession test
Signature Measures
No signature measures recorded yet.
Defining Crises
First presidential death in office
Self-Test Prompts
Which party did William Henry Harrison represent, and what broader era does this presidency belong to?
Whig. This presidency is grouped here under Antebellum America.
How did William Henry Harrison first enter office?
Elected by the Electoral College.
What are the three most important moments to remember from this presidency?
Shortest presidency in U.S. history; First president to die in office; Set precedent for vice-presidential succession.
Daily Drill Extension
Which presidents bracket William Henry Harrison in the sequence?
Martin Van Buren and John Tyler.
Which party and era should you associate with William Henry Harrison?
Whig; Antebellum America.
How did William Henry Harrison first enter office?
Elected by the Electoral College.
Name two high-signal moments that make William Henry Harrison historically memorable.
Shortest presidency in U.S. history; First president to die in office.
Which constitutional or institutional themes should you connect to William Henry Harrison?
Death in office and succession test.