Chief Justice Taft in Minnesota in 1921. William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 - March 8, 1930) was the 27th President of the United States (1909-1913) and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States (1921-1930). He is the only person to have served in both offices. In his only term, Taft's domestic agenda emphasized trust-busting, civil service reform, strengthening the Interstate Commerce Commission, improving the performance of the postal service, and passage of the Sixteenth Amendment. In surveys of presidential scholars, he is usually ranked near the middle of lists of all American Presidents. After leaving office, Taft spent his time in academia, arbitration, and the pursuit of world peace through his self-founded League to Enforce Peace. In 1921, after the First World War, President Harding appointed Taft Chief Justice of the United States. He served in this capacity until shortly before his death in 1930 at the age of 72.