The Legacy of America's Past Presidents

From George Washington to Jimmy Carter, 40 presidents—now no longer living—have shaped the course of American history, guiding the nation through times of peace and war, prosperity and hardship, innovation and upheaval. These leaders played pivotal roles in defining democracy, expanding the country's influence, and responding to the ever-evolving challenges of their time. Whether forging a new republic, leading through civil war and reconstruction, or navigating the complexities of the modern world, each has left an enduring impact on the nation's identity. Their decisions and legacies continue to influence America today, serving as both lessons and inspirations for future generations.

Listed in reverse chronological order, most recent first.

41st

George H. W. Bush

1989-1993 1924-2018

40th

Ronald Reagan

1981-1985 1911-2004

39th

Jimmy Carter

1977-1981 1924-2024

38th

Gerald Ford

1974-1977 1913-2006

37th

Richard Nixon

1969-1973 1913-1994

36th

Lyndon B. Johnson

1963-1965 1908-1973

35th

John F. Kennedy

1961-1963 1917-1963

34th

Dwight D. Eisenhower

1953-1957 1890-1969

33rd

Harry S. Truman

1945-1949 1884-1972

32nd

Franklin D. Roosevelt

1933-1937 1882-1945

31st

Herbert Hoover

1929-1933 1874-1964

30th

Calvin Coolidge

1923-1925 1872-1933

29th

Warren G. Harding

1921-1923 1865-1923

28th

Woodrow Wilson

1913-1917 1856-1924

27th

William Howard Taft

1909-1913 1857-1930

25th

William McKinley

1897-1901 1843-1901

26th

Theodore Roosevelt

1901-1905 1858-1919

24th

Grover Cleveland

1893-1897 1837-1908

23rd

Benjamin Harrison

1889-1893 1833-1901

21st

Chester A. Arthur

1881-1885 1829-1886

20th

James A. Garfield

1881-1881 1831-1881

19th

Rutherford B. Hayes

1877-1881 1822-1893

18th

Ulysses S. Grant

1869-1873 1822-1885

17th

Andrew Johnson

1865-1869 1808-1875

16th

Abraham Lincoln

1861-1865 1809-1865

15th

James Buchanan

1857-1861 1791-1868

14th

Franklin Pierce

1853-1857 1804-1869

13th

Millard Fillmore

1850-1853 1800-1874

12th

Zachary Taylor

1849-1850 1784-1850

11th

James K. Polk

1845-1849 1795-1849

10th

John Tyler

1841-1845 1790-1862

9th

William Henry Harrison

1841-1841 1773-1841

8th

Martin Van Buren

1837-1841 1782-1862

7th

Andrew Jackson

1829-1833 1767-1845

6th

John Quincy Adams

1825-1829 1767-1848

5th

James Monroe

1817-1821 1758-1831

4th

James Madison

1809-1813 1751-1836

3rd

Thomas Jefferson

1801-1805 1743-1826

2nd

John Adams

1797-1801 1735-1826

1st

George Washington

1789-1793 1732-1799

Historical Legacy

Each president faced unique challenges and opportunities that shaped their legacy and the nation's development. Their combined influence has guided America through its evolution from a fledgling republic to a global superpower.

View Living Presidents →