Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1885 — Presidential Chirography. [ARTICLE]

Presidential Chirography.

Abraham Lincoln wrote a small, careful hand. The handwriting of General Grant is easy to read. > Andrew Johnson’s handwriting was large and labored. His fingers seemed all thumbs. Zachary Taylor wrote with a blunt pen, with few flourishes and no attempt at ornamentation. John Tyler, next to Garfield, was the best writer among the Presidents. He wrote a clear, legible, open hand. Martin Van Buren did not like to write, but when he did sign his name it was in large, round characters. Franklin Pierce was the worst writer of all the Presidents. His writing was not pretty, but it could be easily read. The handwriting of William Henry Harrison was classic. He was a man of varied accomplishments and wide information. • No one would ever be able to counterfeit the handwriting of Rutherford B. Hayes. He never made the same letter the same way. James Buchanan was proud of his handwriting. He prided himself on his punctuation, spelling, and the elegance of his style of composition. James K. Polk made a signature which looks like copper plate. Every line of it is well made, and there is a flourish under it which would do honor to a writing teacher.