The President Who Feared Electric Shocks

President Benjamin Harrison and his wife were reportedly so afraid of electric shocks that they refused to operate the White House light switches after electricity was installed in 1891. Staff members handled the switches instead. American presidential history contains several other remarkable personal stories. Joe Biden survived two brain aneurysms in 1988, requiring major medical treatment before his later political career. Richard Nixon's foreign policy included an approach commonly associated with the "madman theory," intended to make adversaries uncertain about how far he might go. Former President Jimmy Carter continued volunteering to build homes at age 95, even after a fall left him needing 14 stitches the previous day. Andrew Johnson, who later became president after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, had previously worked as a tailor's apprentice. Presidential biographies often contain stories more unexpected than their political careers. Which presidential story surprised you the most? DISCLAIMER: Presidential anecdotes come from historical records, biographies, and recollections. Accounts of private intentions and personal fears may involve interpretation. #uspresident #benjaminharrison #whitehouse #presidentialfacts #americanhistory #biden #carter #usashorts