Zachary Taylor served as the 12th President of the United States from 1849 to 1850. Born in Virginia in 1784 and raised in Kentucky, he spent about forty years in the Army and lived in Louisiana when elected.
A Whig with no prior political office, Taylor won fame as a general in the Mexican American War, especially at the Battle of Buena Vista.
Key Moments
His short term centered on whether new western territories would allow slavery. He favored admitting California as a free state and resisted compromise proposals in Congress.
Did You Know
Taylor was nicknamed Old Rough and Ready. He fell ill after a July 4 celebration in 1850 and died on July 9, sixteen months into his term.
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