A recent survey of 142 presidential historians conducted by C-SPAN continued the tradition of ranking former executives based on a wide range of criteria. Each respondent issued a score from 1 (meaning “not effective”) to 10 (meaning “very effective”) in 10 categories that encompass presidential leadership: crisis leadership, public persuasion, economic management, moral authority, international relations, administrative skills, pursuing equal justice for all, relations with congress, vision or setting an agenda, and their performance within the context of the times. The average of each president’s responses was then added to rank them overall, with each category given equal weighting. New questionnaires are issued at the beginning of every new administration so that only former presidents are included in the rankings, meaning you won’t see current President Joe Biden on this list. The latest survey also invited dozens more respondents to participate so as to create “new diversity in race, gender, age and philosophy” in the results, C-SPAN said. (Here is a full list of the historians surveyed.) Each time the survey is conducted, presidents rise and fall among the ranks, and this year is no different. With everything considered from impeachment to landing on the moon, here is every former president of the United States ranked from best to worst, according to historians. RELATED: 30 Amazing Facts You Never Knew About U.S. Presidents. Final score: 897 Final score: 851 Final score: 841 Final score: 785 Final score: 734 Final score: 713ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Final score: 704 Final score: 699 RELATED: 21 Facts about the Vanderbilt Family, Kennedys, and More U.S. “Royalty” Final score: 681 Final score: 664 RELATED: Barack Obama Says This Actor Could Play Him in a Movie. Final score: 654 Final score: 643 Final score: 617 Final score: 612 Final score: 609 Final score: 604 Final score: 603 Final score: 599 Final score: 594 RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. Final score: 590 Final score: 585 RELATED: Cindy McCain Just Gave a Rare Update on Her Youngest Daughter Bridget. Final score: 568 Final score: 543 Final score: 535 Final score: 523 Final score: 506 Final score: 506 Final score: 498 Final score: 495 Final score: 472 Final score: 464 Final score: 462 Final score: 456 Final score: 455 Final score: 449 Final score: 396 Final score: 388 Final score: 378 Final score: 354 Final score: 354 Final score: 312 RELATED: Dr. Fauci Just Revealed His Last Conversation With Donald Trump. Final score: 312 Final score: 230 Final score: 227 UP NEXT: This Is the State That Drinks the Most Alcohol, According to Data.
