Franklin Pierce
14th President
Born: 1804 Died: 1869 Served: 1853 - 1857

Vice-President William R. King
Political Party Democrat
College Bowdoin
Occupation Lawyer
Birthplace Hillsboro, New Hampshire
Place of Burial Concord, New Hampshire

Pop Quiz Facts

* 1852: After being nominated by the Democrats on the 49th ballot, defeats Whig candidate Winfield Scott for the presidency.
* 1853: The Gadsden Purchase settles boundary dispute between Mexico and the United States and gives a southern railway route to the Pacific.
* 1854: Endorses the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which touched off fighting between anti-slavery and pro-slavery factions.
* 1856: Loses Democratic nomination fight to James Buchanan.

Interesting Facts

* One of the Democratic party's slogans during Pierce's campaign for president was: "We Polked you in 1844; we shall Pierce you in 1852."
* Because of religious considerations Pierce affirmed rather than swore the Presidential oath of office.
* Pierce installed the first central-heating system in the White House.
* He was the first president who failed to receive his party's nomination for a second term.

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