Taylor, Zachary (1784-1850)

12th president of the USA 1849-50. A veteran of the War of 1812 and a hero of the Mexican War 1846-48, he was nominated for the presidency by the Whigs in 1848 and was elected, but died less than one-and-a-half years into his term. He was succeeded by Vice-President Millard Fillmore.

Taylor was born in Orange County, Virginia but grew up in frontier Kentucky. He began 40 years of army service in 1808 and played a key role in Fort Harrison's defense during the War of 1812. Most of his military career was spent on the frontier, and he distinguished himself in campaigns against the Indians. In the Seminole Wars in Florida his successes led to his promotion to brigadier general and command of the Florida department (1838-40).

By now known by his nickname ‘Old Rough and Ready,’ Taylor won his greatest fame in the Mexican War. While commander of the US forces occupying the recently annexed Texas, he opposed Mexican forces on President Polk's orders. In spring 1846, Taylor advanced into Mexico and almost immediately won several battles and a promotion to major general. By fall he had taken Monterrey and in February 1847 defeated Santa Anna at Buena Vista.

Having defeated his opponents Lewis Cass and Martin van Buren for the presidency, Taylor found his short term in office dominated by controversies over the slavery issue, with him supporting the anti-slavery elements that were pushing for the admission to the Union of more free states. Taylor died unexpectedly of cholera while the Compromise of 1850 was being shaped.