Much has been made of the respective ages of the two candidates for U.S. President in 2008. One is thought by many to be too young and one is thought by many to be too old. Is it possible to be a vigorous President at 72? Is it possible to be a wise leader at 47? We will find out the answer to one of these questions next week, but the Oct. 29, 1908 NYT reports on the ages of the prevailing "world leaders" at the time:

Theodore Roosevelt, President, United States, 50 years old.

Francis Joseph, Emperor, Austria-Hungary, 79 years old.

Porfirio Diaz, President, Mexico, 79 years old.

Leopold II, King, Belgium, 74 years old.

Armand Fallieres, President, French Republic, 67 years old.

Edward VII, King, England, 67 years old.

Frederick VIII, King, Denmark, 65 years old.

Abdul Hamid II, Sultan, Ottoman Empire, 57 years old.

Mutsuhito, Mikado, Japan, 56 years old.

Gustavus V., King, Sweden, 51 years old.

William II, Emperor, Germany, 49 years old.

Nicholas II, Czar, Russia, 40 years old.

Victor Emmanueal, King, Italy, 39 years old.

Alfonso XIII, King, Spain, 22 years old.

Manuel II, King, Portugal, 19 years old.