Calvin Coolidge 1923-1929

Born: 1872, Plymouth, VT
Died: 1933

John Calvin Coolidge, the son of a Vermont storekeeper, earned a law degree and moved to Northampton, Massachusetts, where a casual interest in politics soon turned into a career. He was serving as Governor when Harding asked him to be his running mate in 1920. Harding died two years later and Coolidge's father, a notary public, swore him in as President.

"Silent Cal" had a reputation for honesty that served him well when the Harding scandals came to light. He moved swiftly to restore confidence in the White House, and otherwise followed his conviction that "the business of America is business." The country was enjoying high productivity and low unemployment when he faced the electorate in 1924, with the slogan "Keep cool with Coolidge." He won handily, but the dour and frugal tee-totaler from New England was utterly out of step with the Jazz Age. As bootlegging, corruption, and stock-market speculating became rampant, Coolidge, who preferred to lead by example, tended to administrative affairs and quietly trimmed $2 billion from the national debt. He did not seek re-election. On leaving office Coolidge said, "one of the most important accomplishments of my Administration has been minding my own business."

Thirtieth President
Republican