Presidential Overachievers You Might Not Know About

Only one of these five presidents made this list. 

Most of the 45 men who became President of the United States were well educated and began public service as lawyers or military members (or both) and worked their way up the political ladder. Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson are well-known for their many accomplishments outside of the White House. Then there are a few you might not realize were experienced in something completely different from what they are remembered for. One president knew seven languages besides English, and worked as an interpreter as well as a diplomat. Another had completed medical school. One had an original proof for the Pythagorean theorem published in a scientific journal. And you may be surprised by the only president who held a patent.  

In the run up to President's Day in the 250th year of our country, Smithsonian will, no doubt, bring us lots of history and trivia about presidents. Today they tell us about eight presidents who had distinguished but lesser-known accomplishments outside of their presidential terms. 

(Image credit: White House Photograph Office/Barbara Kinney)