When it comes to choosing the greatest leader in U.S. history, one question always lingers: Who truly deserves the title of the best president of America? With over 45 presidents and centuries of complex history, the answer isn’t as simple as it may seem. While the debate rages on, there are a few names that stand out based on their accomplishments, leadership qualities, and lasting impact on the nation.
The Long List of U.S. Presidents:
1:George Washington (1789–1797)
2:John Adams (1797–1801)
3:Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)
4:James Madison (1809–1817)
5:James Monroe (1817–1825)
6:John Quincy Adams (1825–1829)
7:Andrew Jackson (1829–1837)
8:Martin Van Buren (1837–1841)
9:William Henry Harrison (1841)
10:John Tyler (1841–1845)
11:James K. Polk (1845–1849)
12:Zachary Taylor (1849–1850)
13:Millard Fillmore (1850–1853)
14:Franklin Pierce (1853–1857)
15:James Buchanan (1857–1861)
16:Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865)
17:Andrew Johnson (1865–1869)
18:Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877)
19:Rutherford B. Hayes (1877–1881)
20:James A. Garfield (1881)
21:Chester A. Arthur (1881–1885)
22:Grover Cleveland (1885–1889)
23:Benjamin Harrison (1889–1893)
24:Grover Cleveland (1893–1897)
25:William McKinley (1897–1901)
26:Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)
27:William Howard Taft (1909–1913)
28:Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921)
29:Warren G. Harding (1921–1923)
30:Calvin Coolidge (1923–1929)
31:Herbert Hoover (1929–1933)
32:Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945)
33:Harry S. Truman (1945–1953)
34:Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)
35:John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)
President John F. Kennedy Address at Rice University in Houston, Texas, on the nation’s space effort.
Please credit “Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston”
36:Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)
37:Richard Nixon (1969–1974)
38:Gerald Ford (1974–1977)
39:Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)
40:Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)
41:George H. W. Bush (1989–1993)
42:Bill Clinton (1993–2001)
43:George W. Bush (2001–2009)
44:Barack Obama (2009–2017)
45:Donald Trump (2017–2021)
46:Joe Biden (2021–2024)
47:Donald Trump (2024–present)
With such a long and varied list, it’s easy to see why determining the “best” president is no simple task. But, in the eyes of many historians and political experts, one name consistently rises above the rest: Abraham Lincoln.
Why Abraham Lincoln Stands Out
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, is often regarded as the best president in American history for his leadership during one of the most turbulent times in the nation’s history—the Civil War. Lincoln’s determination to preserve the Union, end slavery, and push for national reconciliation has left a lasting legacy that continues to shape American values today. His ability to unite a fractured nation, while also making significant strides in human rights, has earned him a revered place in history.
While other presidents, like George Washington, who led the nation through its infancy, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who guided the U.S. through the Great Depression and World War II, also had monumental impacts, Lincoln’s legacy of freedom, equality, and unity remains a symbol of American ideals.
Who Else Might Be the Best?
While Lincoln is often considered the best, many other presidents have made lasting contributions to the country’s progress. For example, Theodore Roosevelt transformed the nation’s landscape with his progressive reforms, environmental conservation efforts, and leadership on the global stage. Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served four terms, navigated the country through the Great Depression and World War II, becoming one of the most influential figures in modern American politics.
The question of who the “best” president is remains subjective, shaped by differing opinions on leadership, impact, and values. However, one thing is certain—these leaders have shaped America in profound ways, and their legacies continue to influence the nation and the world.
