William Henry Harrison

This oil on canvas portrait of William Henry Harrison was completed by an unknown artist circa 1840 after work by artist Abel Nichols. Lightly inscribed in the lower left is the name "R.E. Earl." Harrison, known for his military service in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, came out of retirement in 1840 to win the presidential election and become the 9th president of the United States. After serving only 32 days, however, Harrison became the first president to die in office. His term remains the shortest presidential tenure to date. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, would be elected in 1889 as the 23rd president.