Primary sourcePaintingc. 1813

Portrait of William Henry Harrison

Rembrandt Peale · c. 1813

An 1813 portrait by Rembrandt Peale showing William Henry Harrison in military uniform during the War of 1812.

This portrait depicts Harrison as a general during the War of 1812, before his later political career.

Ask William Henry Harrison about this source View the original

Oil painting of a man with short brown hair, turned three-quarters to the left, wearing a dark navy military-style coat with gold embroidered leaf patterns and gold epaulettes. He holds a gold-hilted sword with folded arms against a cloudy sky backdrop. — Rembrandt Peale, William Henry Harrison, c. 1813. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

About this source

What it is

This oil portrait of William Henry Harrison was painted by Rembrandt Peale around 1813 and is held by the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

Why it matters

Painted around the time of the War of 1812, this portrait shows Harrison in military uniform as the general later celebrated for his roles at the Battle of Tippecanoe and the Battle of the Thames. It reflects how military success shaped his public image before he became a political figure.

Look closer

What details of the uniform and pose suggest military rank and achievement?
Why might Peale have chosen to paint Harrison with a sword and in uniform rather than in civilian dress?
What does this portrait emphasize about Harrison's identity compared to later political portraits of him?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of William Henry Harrison on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More William Henry Harrison sources

Meet the AI William Henry Harrison →

Speech

Primary source

Inaugural Address of William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison · 4 March 1841

Handwritten copy of a letter from the War Department dated July 15, 1809, addressed to His Excellency Wm. H. Harrison. It instructs him on negotiating the extinguishment of Indian title to lands east of the Wabash, referencing the Treaties of Fort Wayne and Grouseland, and states terms for compensation, chiefs' presence, installments, and expenses. Ink on cream paper.

Document

Primary source

Treaty of Fort Wayne

1809

Black and white lithograph of a log cabin with an American flag reading Harrison and Tyler, a chimney smoking, a barrel of cider outside, and a coonskin on the wall. A man in a top hat stands with a cane and dog beside a younger man in a doorway. Trees and a river are in the background.

Painting

Primary source

Harrison at cabin on North Bend of Ohio

Thomas Sinclair · 1840

Printed broadside of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, titled 'An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States, North-West of the River Ohio.' Dense block of small black printed text in paragraphs on a light paper, with the heading in large capital letters at top.

Document

Primary source

Northwest Ordinance

Confederation Congress · 13 July 1787

Oil portrait of a man with brown hair, turned three-quarters to the left, wearing a dark navy military coat with gold embroidered laurel-leaf trim, gold epaulettes, and a high white collar with a dark stock. He holds a gold-hilted sword with arms crossed against a cloudy sky.

Painting

Primary source

William Henry Harrison

Rembrandt Peale · 1813

Ready when you are

Start chatting with William Henry Harrison now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for free Get a quote for institutions