Who was the youngest American president?

Theodore Roosevelt became president at the age of 42 years and 322 days. He was sworn in on September 14, 1901, after President McKinley succumbed to gunshot wounds he had received eight days earlier at the hand of Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist. He brought vitality to American politics and he was known for his progressive reforms and strong foreign policy.

John F. Kennedy was the youngest man elected president. He was 43 years and 236 days when he was inaugurated on January 20, 1961. He too brought a dynamism that promised great things for the nation and world. Unfortunately, he was cut down by an assassin's bullet on November 22, 1963.

Ulysses S. Grant was the youngest president until Theodore Roosevelt when he was inaugurated on March 4, 1869, at the age of 46 years and 311 days. A failure before he reentered the army, Grant led the Union to victory during the American Civil War. Grant served two terms but was plagued by scandal during his presidency. He died at the age of 63.

Franklin Pierce was sworn in at the age of 48 years and 101 days. He showed great promise as a young man. He had a successful law practice and served as a general during the Mexican War. But he led a tragic life. All three of his sons died young. Franklin's youngest died in a train accident shortly before his inauguration on March 4, 1853. His single term as president was disastrous. A long-time heavy drinker, he died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1869 at the age of 64.