An Autobiography · Character

William Howard Taft

Roosevelt's Secretary of War and chosen successor, whose presidency would later test the friendship and fracture the Republican Party.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Taft

First appearance: The Presidency; Making an Old Party Progressive

As a supporting figure in An Autobiography, William Howard Taft is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Roosevelt's successor; criticized for taking the 'Buchanan' view of presidential power and for his handling of the Ballinger case.

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Taft enters the autobiography as the man Roosevelt handpicked to carry his legacy forward, a trusted lieutenant in the administration's work. The passages here are largely genealogical, tracing Roosevelt's own Dutch, Quaker, and Scotch-Irish roots rather than Taft's role, but his presence hovers over the later chapters as the heir whose divergence from Roosevelt's progressive course becomes one of the book's quiet tensions. He matters because the story of Roosevelt's public life cannot end without him.

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Character Web

7 connections

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Diverse Historical and Contemporary Figures
Political and Military Figures
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter serves as the narrative climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the au…

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In the story

William Howard Taft appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Presidency; Making an Old Party Progressive
Roosevelt's successor; criticized for taking the 'Buchanan' view of presidential power and for his handling of the Ballinger case.
The Natural Resources of the Nation
Mentioned as the President who removed Pinchot from office after Roosevelt left office.
Appendix A: The Trusts, the People, and the Square Deal
President at the time of the suit; Roosevelt notes Taft's prior approval of the Tennessee Coal and Iron acquisition.
Appendix B: The Control of Corporations and 'The New Freedom'
Mentioned as a candidate supported by big business, alongside Wilson.

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