Local author Stephen Spignesi entertained a small but enthusiastic audience at the Fair Haven Branch Library with his presentation of unusual facts about U.S. presidents. Spignesi, who has written 60 books on popular culture subjects, shared his research from his 2012 book Grover Cleveland’s Rubber Jaw & Other Unusual, Unexpected, Unbelievable but All-True Facts About America’s Presidents.

Presidential Trivia

Spignesi’s presentation included a range of interesting facts, from the shortest president, James Madison, to the tallest, Abraham Lincoln, and the heaviest, William Howard Taft. He also shared stories about presidents who had unique experiences, such as George Washington, who contracted smallpox at the age of 19 and later mandated inoculation for his troops.

The event was part of the New Haven Free Public Library’s system-wide “Rooted in Place: 250 Years Through New Haven’s Lens” program, which aims to celebrate the city’s history and culture. Spignesi’s presentation was well-received by the audience, who appreciated his engaging storytelling and wealth of knowledge.

After the presentation, Spignesi arranged with librarian Tristan Evarts to have his book Grover Cleveland’s Rubber Jaw available at the Fair Haven Branch Library for readers to enjoy and learn from.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.