Why read presidential biographies when you have us?
Today’s collection features an array of peculiar stories, including potential assassination plots, skinny-dipping escapades, and late-night UFO investigations. This assortment of surprising talents, unusual hobbies, and amusing missteps showcases that America’s top leaders were anything but ordinary.
10. The Smallpox Incident
In the days leading up to his famous Gettysburg Address in November 1863, President Abraham Lincoln became ill, exhibiting alarming symptoms such as fatigue, vertigo, and a sickly appearance.
Despite his condition, he delivered the speech but his health worsened on his return journey to Washington. He experienced fever, back pain, and a rash, and it took him several weeks to fully recover.
To avoid public alarm, Lincoln’s doctors downplayed the severity of his illness, describing it as “a touch of the varioloid,” a mild form of smallpox. However, modern research suggests that Lincoln may have actually had a severe case of smallpox. His survival was uncertain, but he eventually made a full recovery.
9. Gerald Ford Was A Model
It’s widely known that Ronald Reagan was an actor before becoming the 40th president of the United States. But did you know that another president had a career as a model?
Gerald Ford, originally named Leslie Lynch King Jr., had a noteworthy career before his presidency.
Before entering politics, Ford was a model. In 1942, he appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine in a stylish illustration. Interestingly, it was through his modeling work that he met his future wife, Betty Bloomer, who also modeled for the publication.
8. An Untimely Haircut
Bill Clinton’s presidency, initially characterized by charisma and political success, was ultimately overshadowed by well-known sexual scandals.
Adding to the complexities of the Clinton era was a widely circulated story about Air Force One and alleged airport delays. On May 18, 1993, reports claimed that Los Angeles International Airport faced significant delays because President Clinton was receiving a haircut on board Air Force One.
However, further investigation revealed a different narrative. No official records from the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed any flight delays or circling airplanes due to President Clinton’s haircut. While the White House acknowledged the haircut, they denied any involvement in runway closures or delays, attributing them instead to routine procedures by the Secret Service.
7. Benjamin Harrison’s Fear Of Electricity
Despite his significant role in the Civil War and his presidency, Benjamin Harrison was famously apprehensive about electric lights. Even after the White House was upgraded in 1891, he was uneasy with Edison’s recent invention due to the risk of electric shocks from the primitive wiring. Consequently, his staff managed the lighting, and it was rumored that he and his wife left the lights on overnight to avoid using the switches.
6. Mary Todd Lincoln Held Seances In The White House
This trivia about a US president’s wife is fascinating. Did you know the White House hosted séances?
After the Civil War, which claimed 750,000 lives, many Americans turned to spiritualism to connect with lost loved ones. Mary Todd Lincoln, who endured the loss of her mother, three children, and her husband, President Abraham Lincoln, found solace in this movement.
Grieving her son Willie’s death in 1862, Mary sought the help of mediums like the Lauries for séances at the White House, hoping to communicate with Willie’s spirit. She wrote in a letter that these sessions brought her a sense of Willie’s presence and smile.
Rumors of hauntings by Willie, his brother Eddie, and Abraham Lincoln himself still persist in the White House.
5. George Washington’s Grave Was Robbed By A Thief (who grabbed the wrong skull)
President Washington desired a quiet end at Mount Vernon, but his death in 1799 caused widespread national hysteria. The elaborate public mourning, complete with parades and speeches, contrasted sharply with his wish for simplicity. Additionally, his burial site became a point of contention.
Years later, Washington’s tomb fell into neglect, and his skull was almost stolen by a disgruntled former gardener. This disturbing incident prompted the construction of a new tomb that better aligned with Washington’s original wishes.
4. When Almost The Entire Cabinet Resigned Over A Woman
President Andrew Jackson, known for his fiery temper, was caught in the “Petticoat Affair,” a scandal involving his Secretary of War, John Eaton. Rumors claimed that Eaton’s affair with Margaret Timberlake had led to her husband’s death, casting a shadow over their marriage. Washington’s high society ostracized Margaret, and Jackson’s staunch defense of Eaton led to a significant rift in his cabinet, resulting in multiple resignations amid the social turmoil.
3. The Incredibly Talented James Garfield
Left-handers are rare, comprising only 10% of the population, yet they are remarkably common among post-WWII US presidents, with six out of 13 presidents being left-handed. This unusual pattern prompts curiosity about a potential connection between handedness and political leadership. James Garfield, the first left-handed president, was tragically assassinated just four months into his term in 1881. Apart from his handedness, Garfield was a polyglot, capable of writing in Latin with one hand and Greek with the other simultaneously, showcasing his exceptional intellect.
2. Roosevelt Liked Walking On Stilts
Theodore Roosevelt, known for his immense energy and passion for nature, had an unusual pastime: stilt-walking. He didn’t confine this activity to his ranch but also practiced it on the White House grounds, much to the amusement (and likely irritation) of his staff. However, he cautioned his son against walking on stilts over the flower beds—perhaps drawing from past presidential lessons involving gardeners and crypts.
1. A Tragic Lovestory
James Buchanan, the sole lifelong bachelor among US presidents, has been a subject of ongoing speculation regarding his personal life. He attributed his unmarried status to a failed romance with Ann Caroline Coleman, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, in 1819. Their engagement ended amid rumors of Buchanan’s financial intentions and alleged flirtations with other women. Shortly after their breakup, Ann passed away under mysterious circumstances, and Buchanan was forbidden from attending her funeral. Following his death, instructions were discovered to burn the letters he had kept from her in his safe without reading them.