Video: 'Benjamin Harrison: Make Grandpa Proud (1889 - 1893)'

(Tuesday, August 20, 1833) — Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States from 1889 to 1893 and a grandson of President William Henry Harrison (1841) and a great-grandson of Benjamin Harrison V, a Founding Father, was born today on a farm by the Ohio River in North Bend, Ohio.

A Republican, Harrison was elected to the presidency in 1888, defeating the Democratic incumbent Grover Cleveland in the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote.

Hallmarks of Harrison’s administration were unprecedented economic legislation, including the McKinley Tariff, which imposed historic protective trade rates, and the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Harrison also facilitated the creation of the national forest reserves through an amendment to the Land Revision Act of 1891.

During his administration six western states were admitted to the Union.

Video: 'Benjamin Harrison: The Forgotten President'

In addition, Harrison substantially strengthened and modernized the U.S. Navy and conducted an active foreign policy, but his proposals to secure federal education funding as well as voting rights enforcement for African Americans were unsuccessful.

Due in large part to surplus revenues from the tariffs, federal spending reached one billion dollars for the first time during his term. The spending issue in part led to the defeat of the Republicans in the 1890 midterm elections.

Cleveland defeated Harrison for reelection in 1892, due to the growing unpopularity of high tariffs and high federal spending.

He died at his home in Indianapolis in 1901 of complications from influenza.

Many have praised Harrison’s commitment to African Americans’ voting rights, and his work ethic and integrity, but scholars and historians generally rank him in the bottom half among U.S. presidents.