American Presidents





ZacharyTaylor
Read a letter from President Taylor

Portrait Gallery


Did You Know?

• He was the second president to die--from illness-- in office and the second president to die in the White House.
• His nickname was "Old Rough and Ready," due to his slovenly dress.
• He was the first president not previously elected to any other public office.
• After his participation in the Mexican-American War, he was considered a military hero.

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Key Events in the Administration


Zachary Taylor
(November 24, 1784 - July 9, 1850)

Life Facts

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Personal:
First Lady: Betty Taylor Bliss, Daughter
Wife's Maiden Name: Margaret "Peggy" Smith
Number of Children: 6
Education Level: No College
Religion: Episcopalian
Profession: Military
Military Service: Major General

Public Service:
Dates of Presidency: 3/5/1849 - 7/9/1850
Presidency Number: 12
Number of Terms: 1
Why Presidency Ended: Died in office
Party: Whig
His Vice President(s): Millard Fillmore
 
Methodology and Resources

Presidential Places

Birthplace: Montebello
Gravesite: Zachary Taylor National Cemetery

Reference Material

Bibliography
Inaugural Address
Related Links
C-SPAN in the Classroom
Papers: Library of Congress - Washington, DC, 202-707-5387
Watch American Presidents Programs from
C-SPAN's Archives

Programming includes:

• Zachary Taylor Life Portrait: From Zachary Taylor National Cemetery - Louisville, KY
 Guests included: Elbert Smith, author, The Presidencies of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore; Dr. William Gist, owner, Springfield; Gary Peak, director, Zachary Taylor National Cemetery; and Clara Rising (NOTE: Clara Rising's theory that President Taylor died from poisoning, not from gastreonitis, led to the 1991 exhumation of his remains)  Watch | Order Videotape
   
• Mark Wertherington, director, Filson Club Historical Society and James Holmberg, curator of Special Collections, Filson Club Historical Society, on Taylor's papers Watch
 
• Dr. William Greathouse, coroner, on the 1991 exhumation of Zachary Taylor Watch
 
• David Grubin, filmmaker, on making documentaries about presidents Watch    


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