# William Howard Taft — Recollections of Full Years character guide > William Howard Taft in Recollections of Full Years by Helen Herron Taft. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Taft, Taft, Governor Taft, President Taft, Will Taft, William H. Taft, Mr. Wm. H. Taft, the Hon. William H. Taft **First appearance:** 0002-recollections-of-full-years ## Who they are A buoyant, indefatigable public servant who would rather don judicial robes than chase the Presidency, yet finds himself the reluctant instrument of a whole Administration. ## In the story ### [Recollections of Full Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/recollections-of-full-years) Central figure in the recollections, reflecting on his career and personal life. ### [Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/i-introduction) First meeting with Helen at a coasting party; participates in amateur theatricals; works as a law reporter and later assistant prosecuting attorney; becomes engaged to Helen in 1885. ### [II: Cincinnati and Washington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/ii-cincinnati-and-washington) Strongly opposed to taking the Philippines initially; resigned from the bench to lead the Philippine Commission after persuasion by McKinley and Root. ### [III: To the Philippines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/iii-to-the-philippines) Member of the second Philippine Commission; walks many miles daily on deck for exercise. ### [In Japan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/iv-in-japan) Head of the Philippine Commission, already in Manila; his letters describe the difficult situation with General MacArthur. ### [First Impressions of Manila](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/v-first-impressions-of-manila) President of the Philippine Commission; described as industrious, modest, and democratic; works long hours reviewing legislation and meeting with Filipinos; lives quietly with his family in a chalet at Malate. ### [VI: A Strange Environment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/vi-a-strange-environment) Considered sending Robert to a Jesuit school but refrained due to political sensitivity; received the election result cable from General Corbin. ### [Days of the Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/vii-days-of-the-empire) Leads the Civil Commission in establishing provincial governments, reads and explains the Provincial Code, and engages in friendly diplomacy with Filipinos. ### [An Historic Trip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/viii-an-historic-trip) Read and explained the Provincial Code at Lucena; introduced Chief Justice Arellano; danced the rigodon with the highest-ranking lady. ### [IX: The Wild Men’s Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/ix-the-wild-men-s-country) Mrs. Taft's husband; encourages her to go on the trip and is appointed Civil Governor of the Islands during the journey. ### [X: Governor Taft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/x-governor-taft) Inaugurated as the first Civil Governor of the Philippines; delivers the Inaugural address in English and Spanish. ### [XI: A Trip to Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xi-a-trip-to-rome) Recovers from illness and is chosen by President Roosevelt to lead the mission to Rome to negotiate the purchase of Friar lands. ### [Last Days in the Philippines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xii-last-days-in-the-philippines) Returns to Manila to a hero's welcome; declines Supreme Court appointment; takes on additional duties of Vice-Governor; manages famine relief and currency reform. ### [Secretary of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xiii-secretary-of-war) Newly appointed Secretary of War, travels through Japan and to Panama, adjusts to Washington life. ### [Busy Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xiv-busy-years) Reluctant presidential candidate, prefers Supreme Court; busy with speechmaking tours and War Department duties. ### [XV: A Hurried Trip Around the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xv-a-hurried-trip-around-the-world) Receives news of mother's death, campaigns for presidency, delivers acceptance speech, travels around the world, makes diplomatic speeches in Japan and China, addresses the Philippine Assembly. ### [President of the United States](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xvi-president-of-the-united-states) The newly elected President, busy with Cabinet selection and golf in Augusta, later inaugurated despite the storm. ### [The White House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xvii-the-white-house) President Taft's haphazard hospitality and constant conferences with Congress members create domestic challenges for Mrs. Taft. ### [Some White House Formalities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xviii-some-white-house-formalities) President; participates in receptions and leaves for a long trip through the West. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xix-conclusion) Finds solace in Lincoln's words amid political attacks; delivers a reflective speech at the Lotos Club after losing the 1912 election. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Appears in multiple illustrations, including as center of the salon, at marriage, taking oath as Governor of the Philippines, and returning to the White House after inauguration. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/characters/mr_taft - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/characters