William H. Harrison was the ninth President of the United States, serving in 1841. He is best known for his short time in office, as he died just 31 days after his inauguration, making his presidency the shortest in American history. Before becoming president, Harrison was a military officer and gained fame for his role in the Battle of Tippecanoe against Native American forces. Harrison was born on February 9, 1773, in Virginia. He came from a prominent family and was educated at Princeton University. His political career included serving as the governor of the Indiana Territory and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.