presidents ranked

When history judges deeds …

Historians have long agreed that Abraham Lincoln, America’s fallen 16th commander-in-chief, is the single most successful and respected president of the United States when judged by history and in the context of his times. We can only agree, of course. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson generally come somewhere in the top 10 of any list (numbers 2, 3, and 4, respectively, on our list).

Presidents are judged on several essential characteristics that Americans hold dear: their love for the United States Constitution, the ability to manage in a crisis and defend our nation, international relations and foreign policy, their relationship with Congress, the Courts, and their citizens; vision; moral authority; ability to persuade and drive public opinion; economic skills; innovation; commitment to social justice; abiding support for the rule of law; and, so much more.

Being president of the United States is a heavy burden to bear, but 46 individuals have carried the mantle of “Mr. President.” Perhaps a woman will be known as “Madam President” soon. Some presidents have done the job well, and some not so well. Our presidents have fought two world wars, a great depression and more than one economic recession. We have had major battles with the British twice; Mexico, Korea, and Vietnam once each; and Middle Eastern countries numerous times. We have explored space, under the oceans, and on excursions to the top and the bottom of the world. Communism and socialism have frequently been our bane. Three of our presidents have been assassinated while in office, and too many attempts have been made on others, Donald Trump most recently. FDR died while on vacation in Georgia in the middle of his extraordinary fourth term, while Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower suffered stokes while occupying the Oval Office.

And yet, they run and seek to serve “We the People.”

Thomas Jefferson called the presidency a “splendid misery.” Theodore Roosevelt considered the White House a “bully pulpit.” Warren Harding was more direct, describing the job as “hell.” No matter how you view the American presidency, it is a job worth the ages.

Thomas has compiled our ranking of American presidents in the context of their times and their influence on the principles we honor when governing the United States of America. Our list will no doubt change in order as time passes and more knowledge about our presidents and their actions is more deeply examined.

The list will change in order as time passes and more knowledge about our presidents and their actions emerges. The portraits you see here are the official portraits of our presidents as featured by the White House Historical Association, an organization that we hope you find it in your heart to support philanthropically and otherwise. The Association does great work in showcasing the greatest fishbowl in the world.

In the meantime, here is Thomas’ Take on the American presidents - our presidents. We hope our list will generate more than just a little discussion!

#1 - Abraham Lincoln

Successfully navigated The Civil War. Gettysburg Address. Emancipation Proclamation.

#2 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Turned around The Great Depression. Waged World War II. Put America back to work.

#3 - George Washington

Led America through the Revolution. Set the example for all presidents who followed.

#4 - Thomas Jefferson

Declaration of Independence. The Louisiana Purchase. Beat back the Pasha of Libya. Founded the US Military Academy at West Point.

#5 - James Madison

U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Repealed the Embargo Act of 1807. Battled the British winning the War of 1812. Negotiated the Treaty of Ghent.

#6 - Theodore Roosevelt

Established America’s environmental legacy and created our national park system. Carried a “big stick” and managed foreign relations expertly.

#7 - john fitzgerald kennedy

The Cuban Missile Crisis. “Ask Not” inaugural address. First American in space and race to the moon. Alliance for Progress. Peace Corps.

#8 - ronald reagan

Berlin Wall & communism struggle. Morning in America. Trust but verify. Modern conservative. Strong defense. Challenger tragedy.

#9 - Harry s truman

Ended World War II. Took America into the atomic age. Competently followed in FDR’s footsteps. Truman Doctrine.

#10 - Woodrow wilson

World War I and the Versailles Treaty. Fourteen Points and the League of Nations. Women’s right to vote. Personal income tax. Federal Reserve.

#11 - James Monroe

The Monroe Doctrine. Expanded America westward. The “Era of Good Feelings.” The Missouri Compromise. Acquired Florida.

#12 - John Adams

Jefferson rival. Succeeded George Washington. Led the naval war against France. Signed the Alien and Sedition Acts. Unapologetic Federalist.

#13 - Dwight David Eisenhower

Waged peace and prosperity after World War II. Managed the Cold War. Ended War with Korea. Founded the Interstate Highway System.

#14 - Barack Obama

Overcame the 2008 global financial crisis. Obamacare. Captured Osama bin Laden. Improved relations with Russia and China.

#15 - William Jefferson clinton

Balanced the federal budget. Longest peacetime economic expansion. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Oslo Accord. Centrist.

#16 - George w. bush

Bush v. Gore. 9/11. Afghanistan invasion. Iraq War. Patriot Act. Tea Party. No Child Left Behind Act.

#17 - joseph r. biden

Chose country over self. Made historic selections for his administration. Preserved US-NATO role.

#18 - George H.W. Bush

U.S.-Soviet relations. Berlin Wall. Gulf War I. Americans With Disability Act. Economic recession. Strong foreign policy team.

#19 - John Quincy adams

Believed in the “common defense.” Pursued a national agenda for the first time. Anti-slavery advocate. Focused on the general welfare.

#20 - Willliam Howard Taft

Peace proponent. Strong judicial sensitivity and temperament. Avoided political acrimony. Tariff reform efforts. Moderate.

#21 - Ulysses s. Grant

Avoided party politics. Allowed for stronger Senate. African American rights advocate. Civil Service reformer. 15th Amendment proponent.

#22 - Gerald R. Ford

Nixon pardon. Energy crisis. Rampant inflation. Mayaguez incident. Vietnam War. Brought honor back to the White House after Watergate.

#23 - Lyndon Baines Johnson

The Great Society. Civil Rights Act. Vietnam War. Funding for Headstart and Medicare. Workplace safety. The environment. Apollo One tragedy.

#24 - James K. Polk

Manifest Destiny. Mexican War. Westward expansion to California & Oregon. Texas border settled. Created Interior Department.

#25 - William mckinley

Waged Spanish-American War. US became an emerging global power. Opened trade with China. First technology/media president.

#26 - Andrew Jackson

Established the dominant national two-party system. Expanded executive power. First western president. Indian Removal Act of 1830.

#27/#28 - Grover Cleveland

Exerted strong executive privilege. Fought political corruption. Civil Service reformer. Pullman Strike.

#29 - Jimmy carter

Iran hostage crisis. Soviet aggression. Olympic boycott. Middle East peace initiative. Inflation. Energy crisis. Anti-imperial presidency.

#30 - Richard m. nixon

Watergate resignation. First man on the moon. Re-opened trade with China. Improved relations with Russia. Shuttle diplomacy. Created EPA.

#31 - Rutherford B. Hayes

Healed the nation and reunited a deeply divided country. Focus on honesty and morals. Gold standard. China exclusion.

#32 Chester A. Arthur

Government service reformer and advocate. African American rights proponent. Pro-trade. Modernized the U.S. Navy.

#33 - Martin Van Buren

Created stong two-party system in America and oversaw an economic depression. Not re-elected.

#34 - Millard Fillmore

1850 Compromise, strong foreign policy challenges overcome. Fugitive Slave Law.

#35 - Benjamin Harrison

Grandson on a president. McKinley Tariff. 1893 economic collapse.

#36 - Zachary Taylor

Non-political president with limited party engagement.

#37 - John Tyler

Strong presidency advocate and states rights enthusiast.

#38 - Franklin Pierce

Kansas-Nebraska Act which led to the Civil War.

#39 - James buchanan

Pacifist president which also encouraged Civil War outbreak.

#40 - warren g. harding

Ceremonial president who worked for a “return to normalcy.”

#41 - Andrew johnson

Non-compromiser obstructed civil rights and was Impeached by Congress but not convicted.

#42 - Calvin Coolidge

Tax cuts. Permitted rise of Nazism in Germany. Years of peace, prosperity and balanced budgets yielded to the Great Depression.

#43 - Herbert hoover

Stock market crash. Failed to overcome the Great Depression. Embraced voluntarism and public works projects.

#44 - donald j. trump

Donald J. Trump was twice impeached and did not leave Washington in a pro-democracy manner.

Not Rated - James Garfield

President Garfield was assassinated shortly after entering office and therefore has not been rated.

not rated - william henry harrison

Died in office less than two months after his inauguration from pneumonia.

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