presidents,  Virginia

William Howard Taft Burial Place in Arlington, Va.

Following his defeat for re-election in 1912, William Howard Taft and sought the opportunity to practice law.  He ended up becoming the Kent Professor of Law and Legal History at Yale Law School.  Taft held the academic position until 1921 when he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court, which made him the first person to serve as both president and chief justice.  He served as chief justice until 1930 when he retired because of his poor health.  On March 8, 1930, Taft died from cardiovascular disease.  He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, thus becoming a first president buried at the cemetery.

Noted sculptor James Earle Fraser designed the 50-foot granite monument at the graves of William Howard and Helen Herron Taft.
William Howard and Helen Herron Taft were the first president and first lady buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

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