5 Times Harry Truman Looked like Harry Potter

5 Times Harry Truman Looked like Harry Potter

5 Times Harry Truman Looked like Harry Potter

5 Times Harry Truman Looked like Harry Potter

Is it just us, or does a young Harry Truman bear a striking resemblance to everyone’s favorite wizard, Harry Potter?

We’re lucky that the Truman Library grants free access to its photo archives, so we can explore this intriguing hypothesis.

Seriously… the glasses, the dark hair, even the shape of their noses. The only thing that’s missing is the scar.

Once you get a look at these five photos, you won’t be able to unsee Harry Potter when you come across a photo of a young Harry Truman.

1. Harry Truman at Age 13

A black and white portrait of Harry S. Truman, age 13.
Photo courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum

This photo was taken in 1897, when Harry Truman was 13 years old. It might as well be a Hogwarts school photo. This is the earliest photo we can find of Truman resembling Harry Potter, but you’ll see the trend continues.

2. Harry Truman at age 16

Portrait of Harry Truman at age 16
Photo courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

The “Pottering” is in full effect by age 16. This Harry Truman portrait was taken in 1901.

3. Harry Truman Senior Class Photo

Harry Truman poses with his classmate outside Independence High School for a senior class photo.
Photo courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

Okay, you might need to zoom in on this one, but here is Harry Pott… oops… Truman in his senior class photo. The picture was taken outside of Independence High School in 1901.

Truman’s future wife, Bess Wallace, is also in this photo. She’s in the second row

4. Harry Truman with his cousins

Black and white photo postcard of Harry S. Truman with his two Noland cousins.
Photo courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

Here’s a photo postcard of Truman with his cousins, Mellie and Mary Ethel Noland. The photo was taken in 1905, so Truman is around 21 years old. He’s the one who looks like Harry Potter. The other guy is named Fielding Houchens.

5. Harry Truman at Age 24

A formal portrait of Harry Truman at age 24
Photo courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

Last but not least, here’s a formal portrait of Harry Truman at age 24. The year is 1908. Still no scar, but everything else is there.

We rest our case. Which photo do you think looks most like Harry Potter?

Interested in Truman? Our Discover Truman page features all the ways you can experience Truman in Independence, MO. 

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