Presidential Biographies | Taft Administration - Introduction

Introduction

A congenial man with a passion for the law, William Howard Taft devoted his life to public service. His intelligence and hard work impressed Theodore Roosevelt, who gave Taft a place in his cabinet and went on to endorse him as his successor to the presidency. Taft fared poorly as president, however. He was seen as inept and conservative in comparison to Roosevelt, and disputes between his supporters and Roosevelt's cost him any chance at a second term. After the presidency Taft went on to achieve his lifelong dream by becoming the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.