Woodrow Wilson

President of the United States from 1913 to 1921 (1856–1924)

Fame83.4
Momentum1.5
United States rank#114

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Fame83.4
Momentum1.5
United States rank#114
Politicians rank#68
Wikipedia150.1K

Lived 1856–1924, aged 68United States

United States PoliticiansPolitician

Wikipedia
147 languages
Cross-language footprint
Rank in United States
#114
Politicians
Era
1856–1924
Aged 68
Known for
Johnny Got His Gun
1971

Summary

Updated 2026-08-24

He championed the League of Nations abroad and segregation at home. Wilson steered the U.S. through World War I and reshaped the presidency, but his vision for peace died in the Senate and a stroke left him a hollow figurehead for his final year in office.

Biography

About

Born in Virginia in 1856, Wilson grew up during the Civil War and Reconstruction, later earning a Ph.D. and teaching at Princeton before becoming its president. His 1887 article on public administration helped found the field. As New Jersey's governor from 1911 to 1913, he broke with party bosses and pushed progressive reforms. In 1912 he defeated Taft and Theodore Roosevelt to become the first Southern president since 1848. His first term brought the modern income tax, the Federal Reserve, and the widespread segregation of the federal bureaucracy. After narrowly winning reelection in 1916, he…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson

said17 Jun 1890

The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.

— “The Leaders of Men”, speech at the University of Tennessee (17 June 1890), in The Politics of Woodrow Wilson, p. 74

Woodrow Wilson

said1887

It is getting to be harder to run a constitution than to frame one.

— "The Study of Administration," 1887

Woodrow Wilson

said1887

The principles on which to base a science of administration for America, must be principles which have democratic policy very much at heart.

— "The Study of Administration," 1887

Woodrow Wilson

said1887

The English race, consequently, has long and successfully studied the art of curbing executive power to the constant neglect of the art of perfecting executive methods.

— p. 206;

Woodrow Wilson

said1885