# Which President would be most famous if he wasn't President? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2013, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919 "2013-04-17T07:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/21 "2013-04-17T15:22:24Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I don’t think I agree with Nixon. (Proposed above somewhere.) The Red Scare fame is locked down by McCarthy, and just being VP isn’t enough. I disagree with your disagreement. Yeah, he’s second fiddle to McCarthy wrt the Red Scare, but I think his Checkers speech made him just memorable enough. Nothing even close to the likes of Grant or Washington, but more so than someone like Harding. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/22 "2013-04-17T16:15:39Z")
Secondimng **Mr. Dibble’s** _De Re Metallica_ from the latin. I’ve got the Dover edition, and I know I’d have remembered him for this. Roosevelt was an author too. Lincoln would probably rate at least a footnote for his trial proof invoking the almanac. He’s also the only president to hold a US Patent (You’d think that Jefferson would, as well, but he deliberately didn’t get patents on his inventions Jefferson was another Presidential author. I’ve recently read his _Notes on the State of Virginia_. And his new edition of the Bible is interesting. ) ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/23 "2013-04-17T16:42:45Z")
I’d like to toss Jimmy Carter’s name into the ring considering his association with Habitat for Humanity and his Peace prize. Taft was a supreme court Justice after his presidency so he has that going for him. Degree of fame would vary. JFK might have had a good run in the Senate if he never became president. That coupled with a Pulitzer-winning novel would have him in the public consciousness for a bit. Oh, and Al Gore. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/24 "2013-04-17T16:48:25Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > I’d like to toss Jimmy Carter’s name into the ring considering his association with Habitat for Humanity and his Peace prize. But it’s questionable whether he would have had the opportunity to all the things he did as an ex-president, or been famous for doing them, if he hadn’t been an ex-president. Because of this, I’m not sure whether the things that anyone did _after_ their presidency should “count” or not. > [@](#): > > JFK might have had a good run in the Senate if he never became president. That coupled with a Pulitzer-winning novel would have him in the public consciousness for a bit. Novel? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/25 "2013-04-17T16:50:19Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > I’d like to toss Jimmy Carter’s name into the ring considering his association with Habitat for Humanity and his Peace prize. > > . Carter isn’t likely to have one the Peace Prize if not for being President. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/26 "2013-04-17T16:50:34Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Seconding **Mr. Dibble’s** _De Re Metallica_ from the latin. I’ve got the Dover edition, and I know I’d have remembered him for this. > > Roosevelt was an author too. > > Lincoln would probably rate at least a footnote for his trial proof invoking the almanac. He’s also the only president to hold a US Patent (You’d think that Jefferson would, as well, but he deliberately didn’t get patents on his inventions Jefferson was another Presidential author. I’ve recently read his _Notes on the State of Virginia_. And his new edition of the Bible is interesting. ) But these are things these Presidents are famous for doing in addition to being President. Not something that would have made them famous if they hadn’t been President. If Hoover, for example, would have been famous for translating a book from Latin to English then it follows that other translators must be famous. But I can’t name any off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/27 "2013-04-17T16:53:02Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But these are things these Presidents are famous for doing in addition to being President. Not something that would have made them famous if they hadn’t been President. > > If Hoover, for example, would have been famous for translating a book from Latin to English then it follows that other translators must be famous. But I can’t name any off the top of my head. That depends on how high you set the bar for “famous.” There are certainly translators who are famous within their field. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/28 "2013-04-17T18:52:16Z")
George HW Bush might be memorable as a Director of Central Intelligence who went on to be VP for 8 years. His vice presidency is mildly noteworthy for almost becoming president when Reagan was shot. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/29 "2013-04-17T19:55:49Z")
I think Washington and Jefferson would be the most famous, followed by Ike. Washington and Jefferson would probably be as famous as non-president Ben Franklin, while Ike would probably be as famous as Patton. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/30 "2013-04-17T20:06:09Z")
I hope that Bill Clinton will be remembered for being the first “First Husband.” ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/31 "2013-04-17T20:11:27Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Lincoln would probably rate at least a footnote for his trial proof invoking the almanac. He’s also the only president to hold a US Patent (You’d think that Jefferson would, as well, but he deliberately didn’t get patents on his inventions Jefferson was another Presidential author. I’ve recently read his _Notes on the State of Virginia_. And his new edition of the Bible is interesting. ) Well, if he weren’t President his patent wouldn’t make him very special would it? ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/32 "2013-04-17T20:15:36Z")
I agree that Washington and Jefferson would both be remembered even if they had not become POTUS. But, I am something of a fan of both men so my opinion is skewed. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/33 "2013-04-17T21:04:54Z")
Washington would have still crossed the Delaware and Jefferson would have still penned the Declaration of Independence. The notes earlier on Carter are well taken as his claims to fame are post-presidential. Apologies on “novel” in referring to Profiles in Courage (and Pulitzer). Any thoughts on the guy who used to play linebacker for Michigan who later on married the person who started up the Betty Ford clinic? ---
**Author:** ![Saraya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Saraya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saraya)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/34 "2013-04-17T21:17:26Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > Any thoughts on the guy who used to play linebacker for Michigan who later on married the person who started up the Betty Ford clinic? Gerald Ford isn’t memorable - except in helping me remember that he came after Spiro Agnew, which to this day I forget was even a Vice President. I guess since Spiro was never actually President, then he’s more famous than Ford for the bribery suit and resigning for criminal charges ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/35 "2013-04-17T21:27:32Z")
A lot have folks have mentioned Washington and Jefferson, but I think Adams and Madison are in the conversation also for their involvement in the Revolution, their diplomatic work, the development of the constitution and in Adam’s case being the first vice president. They would be barely less famous than Ben Franklin, maybe, but more than Alexander Hamilton. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/36 "2013-04-17T21:30:37Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I don’t think I agree with Nixon. (Proposed above somewhere.) The Red Scare fame is locked down by McCarthy, and just being VP isn’t enough. He’d still get mentioned every time folks say _Nixon Won The Debate If You Heard It On The Radio, But Kennedy Won The Debate If You Saw It On Television._ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/37 "2013-04-17T21:32:32Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I think Adams and Madison are in the conversation also for their involvement in the Revolution, their diplomatic work, the development of the constitution and in Adam’s case being the first vice president. They would be barely less famous than Ben Franklin I think Adams is slightly less famous than Ben Franklin right here in the real timeline. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/38 "2013-04-17T21:43:45Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I hope that Bill Clinton will be remembered for being the first “First Husband.” I’m so torn about that. On the one hand I like Hillary Clinton; on the other hand I don’t like dynasties. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/39 "2013-04-17T21:45:17Z")
> [@Shmendrik](#): > > George HW Bush might be memorable as a Director of Central Intelligence who went on to be VP for 8 years. Does his son still grow up to be President? ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919/40 "2013-04-17T21:48:15Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Problem with “Who would be considered famous?” discussions is the question of “How famous = famous?”. > Reagan would definitely be famous, the question is whether he’d be famous _enough_ to merit discussion. I think so- at least currently. In 100 years? who knows. > > Although he was never a mega-star in his movie career, his movie career _plus_ being Governor of California would at least merit him fame as a curiosity. Last week when Jonathan Winters died, I posted a youtube clip on Facebook as a memorial. The clip that I used was Jonathan Winters roasting Ronald Reagan at a Dean Martin Roast- no one knew he’d one day be President. While watching Predator for the first time, I had no idea there were two future governors on the screen! Jefferson would be famous regardless, as a founding father and for penning the Declaration of Independence. Probably Madison too, and maybe even Adams. But Franklin would outshine all three – as he probably does anyway, maybe a tie with Jefferson. He was famous for four different things (at least): inventor, scientist, author, and founding father/statesman. JFK didn’t really pen much of Profiles in Courage, and it wouldn’t have been written had he not needed a political stunt. Had he not been president, we wouldn’t remember his name. Had he lived long enough to make his fair share of mistakes as Pres, he wouldn’t be remembered as a remarkable president. Mostly, as the Pres who dated Marilyn. But valid point that he probably would have had a long career as a senator, and we’d remember him for that, along with his brothers. But is there room for 3 Kennedys? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-president-would-be-most-famous-if-he-wasnt-president/655919.md?page=3)