Harry S. Truman was born on this day, May 9, in 1884. He was the 33rd president of the United States, from 1945 to 1953, having served four months as Vice President before Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office.

Karsh photographed him as Senator Harry S. Truman, Missouri, for LIFE Magazine in 1944, and again in 1948 as President, for Collier’s.