Wilson – A. Scott Berg

The 28th president of the United States. Born in Staunton, Virginia, but grow up mostly in Georgia and South Carolina. Father was a Presbyterian preacher. Ancestors were Scottish.

Had a nervous condition and health problems from an early age. Caused him to discontinue his studies at Davidson, even though he was excelling academically (after a rough start). Next went to Princeton,  which at the time was not highly regarded academically.
Went to law school at UVA, but again had to stop due to mental/health issues. Eventually graduated, doing most of the work  from home.
Didn’t like law. Eventually accepted a teaching position at a new women’s college, Bryn Mawr. Next took another teaching position at Princeton.  Wrote series of  books on government, used as text books, highly regarded. Got a PHD from John Hopkins (they basically gave it to him based on the books he had already written.)
Became president of the university, and was highly successful in raising the academic standing of  the university, and raising  funds. Fought the highly ingrained class system at the school which treated poor students unfairly.
His stand against the system cost him, won him many enemies. The New Jersey Democratic machine was at the time looking for somebody they could easily control to run for governer, and decided on Wilson. He won the  election, but the machine was surprised that he refused to kowtow to their demands. A highly moral man, he was determined to follow  what he thought was the right path  no matter the consequences. In this case it worked out.  Later in  life he would not be so lucky.

• introduced a federal income tax
• reduced tarriffs
• established federal reserve
• created President’s  room at Capitol so he could directly speak with  Congress
• first wife died while he was in office; he remarried while in office
• Gave annual address to Congress (which became known as the State of the Union) in person, first since John Adams
• attempted to keep U.S. out of WWI (which help win him reelection over Hughes). “Vote for Wilson is a vote for peace.”
• declared war on Germany after numerous ships sank by German submarines. “The world must be made safe for democracy.”‘
• raised taxes – mostly on the wealthy
•  passed the Espionage Act (boo)
• advocated for what eventually became the Sedition Act
• placed the major role in peace  negotiations, what became the Treaty of Versailles
• Worked for the establishment of the League of Nations,  his brainchild
• had a stroke while in office, had little to do with government affairs after

Book was way to detailed for my needs. Didn’t think I’d every get to the end.

Fun  facts

• played more golf than any other president – almost everyday for  a time
• first to schedule regular press conferences
• first wife – Ellen – first to work for social just while husband in office
• Wilson introduced daylight saving to gain extra hour farm time and save energy
• ate two unbeaten raw eggs in orange juice every morning.

 Notes