Nikole Stewart
Even in the public eye, there are so many things about our presidents that you might not be aware of. We’ve explored strange facts about the presidents throughout history, but what about the top U.S. presidents with interesting hobbies? Some are strange and weird, while others are quite fascinating. From inventing spy gadgets to being an avid hunter, these are the top U.S. presidents with interesting hobbies.
6. Barack Obama
Barack Obama is known for many things, but one thing you might not be aware of is that he’s an avid collector of comics. There have been a few geeks who have made their way into the presidency, and Obama is just the most recent. Not only is he a huge Star Trek and Game of Thrones fan, but he has a giant comic book collection. From Conan the Barbarian to Spider-Man, he knows a thing or two about collections.
5. Bill Clinton
One of the most interesting hobbies for presidents is knowing how to play the saxophone extremely well. Bill Clinton shocked everyone when he showed off his skill one night on Arsenio Hall, jamming out with the band and making a huge impression.
4. Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson thoroughly enjoyed inventing things, specifically spy gadgets. Thanks to him, the science of agriculture flourished by inventing a plow that was easier to pull. Along with that, he helped update the sundial. But some of his most interesting inventions were to help American spies, including the “wheel cipher,” which was used to decipher coded messages.
3. George W. Bush
Sometimes, with a job so stressful as being the president, you need a creative outlet. And for George W. Bush, that was painting. His subjects usually included landscapes and dogs, but he also did portraits of world leaders. He’s even worked on paintings of men and women who were injured during their military service.
2. Theodore Roosevelt
While Roosevelt is known for being a hunter, you might not be aware of how passionate he truly was. One of the top presidents with interesting hobbies is Teddy, who has a knack for taking down animals. He was actually often criticized for his lack of consideration for animals’ suffering, as he trapped and shot over 11,000 animals, ranging in size. He often taxidermied these animals and even donated some to the Smithsonian Institution.
1. George Washington
Another one of the top presidents with interesting hobbies is George Washington. Interestingly enough, Washington was known for breeding mules. The cross between a male donkey and a female horse was great for lugging around items because of their hardy and obedient natures. And while they weren’t native to America, Washington spent a large chunk of his free time breeding them.