Pox, Polio, & Poison
A History of Presidential Illnesses and the Decisions They Shaped
From deadly smallpox that scarred presidents to FDR’s carefully hidden paralysis and the often unsuspected poisonings that haunted others, the story of presidential maladies is as fascinating as it is human.
Research Sources
Archival research uncovers the maladies of the presidents, some of which are not well known.
Expert analysis
A history-minded physician describes presidential medical conditions, often with new possibilities
Presidential and health events of the day
March 2
1877: Rutherford Hayes was proclaimed the winner of the 1876 presidential election.
2010: Barack Obama announced grants aimed at establishing community health centers.
2020: Joe Biden stumbled on the words of the Declaration of Independence while campaigning.