Benjamin Harrison is considered to have been one of the dullest presidents. His low key demeanor did not exactly inspire lively nicknames: His Civil War troops called him "Little Ben" (he was only five feet six inches tall), political opponents in Indiana called him "Kid Glove Harrison " (for his mild nature), and he was known as the "centennial president" for taking office one hundred years after George Washington.

On the other hand, Harrison's grandfather, William Henry Harrison, the nation's ninth president, was known as a more charismatic, vigorous individual. As a famous general, he defeated Chief Tecumseh, then ran for president with the famous nickname " Tippecanoe." The public's fond memories of Grandfather Harrison often annoyed Grandson Harrison. According to The American President (Philip B. Kunhardt Jr., Philip B. Kunhardt III, and Peter W. Kunhardt, 1999), Benjamin Harrison sought to distance himself from his...