William Howard Taft (126)
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States…and later on the 10th Chief Justice…the only person to have held both offices. He became a judge while still in his twenties…and rose rapidly. He was appointed by President Mckinley as civilian Governor of the Philippines in 1901…became Secretary of War by President Roosevelt in 1904, and eventually his hand-picked successor. Taft became President in 1908 with Roosevelt’s help. However, his reelection bid failed as he lost to Woodrow Wilson in 1912. This was due to Roosevelt splitting the Republican vote by running as a third party candidate. Ironic circumstances.
