Robert Taft

Date of Birth: September 8, 1889

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: July 31, 1953

Biography

Robert Alphonso Taft, born on September 8, 1889, was a prominent American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio. He was the eldest son of William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, and Helen Herron Taft. Robert Taft was a leading figure in the Republican Party and was known as “Mr. Republican” for his staunch conservative views. He played a significant role in shaping U.S. domestic and foreign policy during the mid-20th century. Taft was a key architect of the Taft-Hartley Act, which sought to balance the power between labor and management. Despite his significant influence in the Senate, Taft never secured the Republican nomination for President, losing out in bids in 1940, 1948, and 1952. He passed away on July 31, 1953, leaving behind a legacy as a principled conservative and a dedicated public servant.

5 Interesting Facts about Robert Taft

1. Robert Taft graduated first in his class at Yale College in 1910 and from Harvard Law School in 1913.

2. He was a co-founder of the conservative magazine “The American Mercury” in 1924.

3. Taft was known for his opposition to the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

4. He was a leading critic of U.S. involvement in NATO and the Korean War.

5. In 1957, a Senate committee named Robert Taft as one of the five greatest U.S. Senators in history.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Robert Taft

1. “When I am in the minority, I do not believe in surrender. I believe in fighting.”

2. “One of our greatest tasks is to reduce the cost of government.”

3. “Criticism in a time of war is essential to the maintenance of any kind of democratic government.”

4. “Liberty has meaning only if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and a false government security is offered us.”

5. “The purpose of the law is to prevent the strong from always having their way.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Robert Taft’s highest net worth is not extensively documented, but it is estimated to have been around $1 million at the time of his death, considering his investments and properties.

Children

Robert Taft and his wife, Martha Wheaton Bowers, had four children: 1. William Howard Taft III, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. 2. Robert Taft Jr., who followed in his father’s footsteps and served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio. 3. Lloyd Bowers Taft, an investment banker. 4. Horace Dwight Taft, a teacher and headmaster.