Benjamin Harrison Reading Comprehension Lesson

Growing Up and Early Career

Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president of the United States, serving from 1889 to 1893. He was born on August 20, 1833, and raised on a farm in North Bend, Ohio — a small town near the Ohio River close to where Ohio and Kentucky meet. At only 5 feet 6 inches tall, Harrison was given the nickname “Little Ben” by his political opponents, though his supporters turned it into a badge of pride.

Politics ran in the Harrison family. His grandfather, William Henry Harrison, had been the ninth president of the United States. Benjamin studied law and eventually became a successful attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. He also served as a general in the Union Army during the Civil War, earning a reputation for bravery and leadership. That military record helped him build a political following when he later ran for office.

In his personal life, Harrison was known for loving the outdoors and hunting, though he also had a soft spot for animals. He attended Miami University in Ohio and Farmers College before pursuing his law career. Despite his reserved and formal public manner — which sometimes made him seem cold to voters — people who knew him personally described him as warm and thoughtful in private.

The Presidency and Legacy of Benjamin Harrison

Harrison ran for president against Grover Cleveland in 1888. The race was extremely close. Although Harrison received about 100,000 fewer popular votes than Cleveland, he won the Electoral College 233 to 168 and became president. This outcome showed that the Electoral College — not the popular vote — determines who wins the presidency under the United States Constitution.

As president, Harrison focused heavily on foreign policy. He launched the Pan American Congress in 1889, which eventually became the Pan American Union — an organization that promoted cooperation among nations in North and South America. He also negotiated a treaty to annex Hawaii, though it was later withdrawn by President Cleveland after Harrison left office. Hawaii did not officially become a U.S. territory until 1898.

Harrison signed many important bills during his term. He was the first president to spend one billion dollars in a time of peace, which drew criticism, but he argued that the money was invested in things that would help America grow — including improving the Navy and funding domestic projects. One of his most significant actions was signing the Sherman Anti-Trust Act in 1890, a landmark law that limited the power of large monopolies and helped protect fair competition in American business.

Download the Worksheet

Full Members can download the printable PDF worksheet and answer key.

Looking for more reading comprehension worksheets? Browse all reading lessons or become a Full Member to access every printable PDF.