Rutherford Birchard Hayes, The Five of Clubs
19th president of the United States, 1877—1881
This spelling bee champion possessed a high forehead, a full beard and a fondness for chess. His election was the most disputed in history. He lost both the popular and electoral vote to Samuel Tilden, but Tilden was one electoral vote shy of the requisite 185. The final decision was left to bi—partisan electoral commission made up of seven Republicans (in favor of Hayes), seven Democrats (in favor of Tilden), and one independent. The independent unexpectedly retired and a republican was substituted. Hayes was elected.