M Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901), the 23rd President (1889–1893), was the grandson of William Henry Harrison. His administration saw the admission of six new western states and supported bills for voting rights for African Americans (though they failed in the Senate). Economically, the McKinley Tariff and Sherman Antitrust Act were enacted during his term, reflecting a high-water mark of republican legislative activity in the late 19th century.
Interesting anecdote: In 1891, electric lights were installed in the White House for the first time during Harrison’s presidency. However, the President and First Lady were so wary of the new technology that they reportedly refused to touch the light switches for fear of being shocked, often leaving the lights on and relying on staff to turn them off.
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