Before reaching the height of popularity as a world statesman, Woodrow Wilson achieved success in two other careers. First, as a scholar, teacher, and university president, he greatly influenced the course of education. Then, as a political leader, he brought successful legislative reforms to state and national government. Wilson would have won a place in history even if he had been active in only one of his three careers.

Wilson was above all a scholar. Even his physical appearance was like that of a scholar. He was thin, of medium height, and wore glasses. His high forehead, firm mouth, and jutting jaw all gave him the appearance of thoughtfulness and strength. He was also a strong leader as a teacher, university president, and statesman. He was by nature somewhat headstrong and ready to fight, and was often unforgiving toward persons who disagreed with him. However, his energy, magnetic personality, and high ideals won for him the loyalty of many friends and political supporters.

December 29, 1856		Born at Staunton, Virginia.
1858		Moved with his family to Augusta, Georgia.
1870		Moved with his family to Columbia, South Carolina.
1873		Entered Davidson College at Davidson, North Carolina; left after his freshman year to attend Princeton College.
1879		Graduated from Princeton College (now Princeton University).
1879		Entered the University of Virginia Law School at Charlottesville; withdrew in 1880 because of ill health.
1882		Established a law office in Atlanta, Georgia.
1885		Published Congressional Government, A Study in American Politics.
June 24, 1885		Married Ellen Louise Axson.
1885		Became an associate professor of history at Bryn Mawr College.
1886		Awarded a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University.
		Became professor of history and political economy at Wesleyan University (Middletown, Connecticut).
1889		Published The State.
1890		Became professor of jurisprudence and political economy at Princeton University.
June 9, 1902		Named president of Princeton University.
November 8, 1910		Elected Governor of New Jersey.
November 5, 1912		Elected President of the United States.
August 6, 1914		Mrs. Ellen Wilson died.
December 18, 1915		Married Mrs. Edith Bolling Galt.
November 7, 1916		Re-elected President.
September 26-October 2, 1919		Suffered collapse and stroke.
December 19, 1920		Awarded Nobel Prize for Peace.
February 3, 1924		Died in Washington, D.C.

Notes and Trivia

Wilson's full name at birth was Thomas Woodrow Wilson, but he dropped "Thomas" from his name soon after graduating from college.

The Wilson Family Bible shows that Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born at "12¾ o'clock" at night on December 28. His mother said he was born "about midnight on the 28th." Wilson himself used December 28 as his birthdate.

Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Museum. www.woodrowwilson.org

Virginia
Georgia
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Nobel Prize for Peace

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This page was last updated on 11/25/2011.