Benjamin Harrison was born on August 20, 1833, in North Bend, Ohio. He was the second of eight children born to John Scott Harrison and Elizabeth Ramsey Irwin. His grandfather, William Henry Harrison, was the ninth President of the United States. Harrison attended Farmers' College in Cincinnati before enrolling at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While at Miami University, he became a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After graduating in 1852, he went on to study law in Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
In 1853, Harrison married Caroline Lavinia Scott, with whom he had two children. Tragically, Caroline passed away in 1892, leaving Harrison a widower. Four years later, Harrison married Mary Dimmick, who would remain his wife until his death in 1901. The couple had one child together. Harrison was known for being a devoted family man, and his relationships with his wives and children were a source of strength and support for him throughout his life.
Harrison's political career began in the mid-1850s when he was appointed reporter for the Indiana Supreme Court. He later served as the city attorney for Indianapolis before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1881. In 1888, Harrison ran for President as the Republican candidate and won the election, defeating the incumbent, Grover Cleveland. During his presidency, Harrison focused on economic legislation, including the passage of the McKinley Tariff and the Sherman Antitrust Act. He also oversaw the introduction of federal spending that reached a billion dollars for the first time.
After leaving office in 1893, Harrison returned to his law practice in Indianapolis. He remained active in Republican politics and was a vocal critic of President Cleveland's policies. In 1900, Harrison sought the Republican nomination for President but was unsuccessful. He passed away on March 13, 1901, at the age of 67. Harrison's legacy as the 23rd President of the United States is remembered for his economic policies and commitment to upholding the law. His contributions to American politics and society continue to be studied and analyzed by historians and scholars.