William H. Taft served as the 27th President of the United States, from 1909 to 1913. Despite his short tenure, he left a significant impact on the country’s history. Here are some interesting facts about President Taft that you may not know:

1. Taft was a prolific writer. He authored several books, including one on the life of Chief Justice John Marshall, which is considered a definitive biography.
2. He was the heaviest President in U.S. history, weighing over 300 pounds. To accommodate his size, a special bathtub was installed in the White House that could hold four men.
3. Taft was a skilled lawyer and judge, serving as a federal judge and as Secretary of War before his presidency. He was appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after leaving the presidency.
4. As President, Taft worked to expand the U.S. presence in Asia, opening up trade with China and negotiating the purchase of the Philippines from Spain.
5. Taft was a supporter of trust-busting and anti-trust legislation, and his presidency saw a significant increase in the number of antitrust cases brought against corporations.
6. He was the first President to throw the first pitch at a baseball game, a tradition that continues to this day.

7. Taft was an advocate for conservation and established several national parks and monuments, including Glacier National Park in Montana and the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona.
8. He was the last President to wear a top hat for his inauguration, a tradition that had been in place since George Washington’s inauguration in 1789.
9. Taft was the first President to have a presidential automobile, a White Motor Company Model M steam-powered car.
10. He is the only person in U.S. history to have served as both President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Despite his accomplishments, Taft is often remembered more for his size and humorous anecdotes than for his political achievements. Nevertheless, his presidency was a pivotal time in American history, marking the beginning of progressive reforms that would come to define the 20th century.