Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1913 to 1921. Born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia, Wilson was a pivotal figure in American history, particularly noted for his leadership during World War I and his efforts in establishing the League of Nations.
Wilson was the son of Joseph Ruggles Wilson, a Presbyterian minister, and Jessie Woodrow Wilson. He attended Davidson College briefly before transferring to Princeton University, where he graduated in 1879. After a brief stint in law school at the University of Virginia and private practice, he pursued further education at Johns Hopkins University, earning a Ph.D. in history and political science in 1886.
Wilson's academic career began at Bryn Mawr College, followed by a position at Wesleyan University. In 1890, he became a professor at Princeton University, eventually becoming its president in 1902. His tenure at Princeton was marked by significant reforms, which established his reputation as a progressive thinker.
He entered politics in 1910 when he was elected Governor of New Jersey, where he implemented reforms that echoed his academic principles, focusing on efficiency, accountability, and public service.
Wilson's health deteriorated after a severe stroke in 1919, which left him largely incapacitated for the remainder of his term. He retired to his home in Washington, D.C., where he died on February 3, 1924.
His legacy is mixed; while he is celebrated for his internationalist vision and progressive domestic policies, his administration also saw the re-segregation of federal offices and his views on race were decidedly of their time, reflecting the prevalent racial attitudes of the era.