Ida Tarbell (1857-1944) WHO SHE WAS: Ida Tarbell was a pioneering investigative journalist, known for her groundbreaking exposés in McClure’s Magazine during the Progressive Era. Her most notable work, “The History of the Standard Oil Company,” unveiled the unscrupulous practices of the oil giant and became a cornerstone of muckraking journalism. WHAT S/HE SAID: Reflecting
Charles Guiteau (1841-1882) WHO HE WAS: Charles Guiteau was a disturbed individual who infamously assassinated President James A. Garfield. His actions shocked the nation and led to discussions about mental health, political violence, and the security of public figures. WHAT HE SAID: Reflecting on his motivations, Guiteau proclaimed: “I am a Stalwart and Arthur will
James Garfield (1831-1881) WHO HE WAS: James Garfield served as the 20th President of the United States, known for his brief but impactful presidency. A scholar and military leader, he championed civil rights, education, and economic reform during a pivotal time in American history. WHAT HE SAID: Reflecting on the importance of education, Garfield emphasized:
Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) WHO S/HE WAS: Woodrow Wilson was the twenty-eighth President of the United States, in office 1913-1921. Like Roosevelt before him, Wilson regarded himself as the personal representative of the people. He developed a program of progressive reforms and asserted international leadership in building a new world order. In 1917 he proclaimed American
William Howard Taft (1860-1835) WHO S/HE WAS: William Howard Taft was the twenty-seventh President of the United States, a Republican and later the 10th Chief Justice of the United States. In his first and only term, President Taft’s domestic agenda emphasized trust-busting, civil service reform, strengthening the Interstate Commerce Commission, improving the performance of the
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) Theodore D. Roosevelt was the twenty-sixth President of the United States, a Republican and at 42 years old, the youngest person ever to be President. He was a Progressive reformer who sought to move the dominant Republican Party into the Progressive camp. He distrusted wealthy businessmen and dissolved monopolistic corporations as a
Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) WHO S/HE WAS: Grover Cleveland was both the twenty-second and twenty-fourth President of the United States. Cleveland is the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897) and thus is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents. WHAT S/HE SAID: The ship of democracy,
Jane Addams (1860-1935) WHO S/HE WAS: Jane Addams devoted her life to social and political reform and to the betterment of the economic condition of the masses. She worked for women’s rights, to help the poor and to stop the use of children as industrial laborers. She founded Hull House in Chicago, a center which
