Can You Unravel The Presidential Milestones That Made American History?

Who was the first president ever to be photographed?

Retry Correct Incorrect According to Historic America, evidence suggests William Henry Harrison was the first sitting president to be photographed while in office in 1841. But much like his administration only lasted 30 days before his passing, the fate of the resulting image wasn’t any luckier. John Quincy Adams was the first president to appear in a surviving photograph, but he had already left office at the time. Thus, James K. Polk has the extremely specific honor of being the first president to begrudgingly sit for a photograph while in office. But, of course, that wasn’t the question.

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Universal History Archive/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Universal History Archive/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Who was the first president ever to be photographed?

• John Quincy Adams
• Zachary Taylor
• William Henry Harrison
• James K. Polk