Woodrow Wilson

Born in Staunton, Virginia, in 1856, Woodrow Wilson built his early career in scholarship rather than machine politics. He studied law, taught history and political science, and eventually became president of Princeton University before serving as governor of New Jersey.

Wilson was elected the 28th president of the United States in 1912 and served from 1913 to 1921. In office, he helped push through major reforms including the Federal Reserve Act and other Progressive Era legislation, then led the country through World War I. After the war, he became the chief advocate for the League of Nations and received the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize.

His legacy is large and deeply contested. Alongside his record as a reformer and internationalist, historians also point to the segregation of parts of the federal government during his administration and other racist policies and views that have drawn lasting criticism. He died in 1924.