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President Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor


President Zachary Taylor:
Short biography of President Zachary Taylor and the key events during his presidency.

Life of President Zachary Taylor Fast Fact File
The military hero Zachary Taylor (1784-1850), nicknamed "Old Rough and Ready", was the 12th American President and served in office from 1849-1850. The Presidency of Zachary Taylor spanned the period in United States history that encompasses the events of the Westward Expansion. President Zachary Taylor represented the Whig political party which influenced the domestic and foreign policies of his presidency.

The major accomplishments and the famous, main events that occurred during the time that Zachary Taylor was president included the Apache Wars, the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850), and the Galphin affair (1850). Zachary Taylor died  suddenly from a stomach-related illness on July 9, 1850, aged 65. He had served just seventeen months in office and therefore had little impact on the events of the era. The next president was Millard Fillmore.  

Birthday: November 24, 1784

Place of Birth: Louisiana

Political Party: Whig 

Nickname: Old Rough and Ready

Number: 12th President

Vice President: Millard Fillmore

Age at Inauguration: 64

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Weight: 170 pounds

First Lady: Margaret Taylor

Religion: Episcopalian

Date of Death: July 9, 1850

Date of Zachary Taylor Presidency: March 4, 1849 to July 9, 1850

The Nickname of Zachary Taylor: "Old Rough and Ready"
The nickname of President Zachary Taylor provides an insight into how the man was viewed by the American public during his presidency. The meaning of the nickname "Old Rough and Ready" refers to his total disdain of tidy clothing, regardless of the occasion. The nickname "Old Zack" was a reference to his advancing age.

Character and Personality Type of Zachary Taylor
The character traits of President Zachary Taylor can be described as unassuming, thoughtful, cautious, frank, direct and outspoken. It has been speculated that the Myers-Briggs personality type for Zachary Taylor is an ISTP (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving). A naturally quiet, insightful character focused on efficient operation and structure. Zachary Taylor Personality type: Observant, abrupt and authoritarian in nature.

Accomplishments of Zachary Taylor and the Famous Events during his Presidency
The accomplishments of Zachary Taylor and the most famous events during his presidency are provided in an interesting, short summary format detailed below.

Fugitive Slave Act 1850
Summary of the Fugitive Slave Act 1850: The
Fugitive Slave Act 1850 was enacted during the presidency of Zachary Taylor. The law was passed on September 18, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850 and as a concession to the Southern states, increasing penalties against fugitive slaves and the people who aided them.  

Galphin scandal
Summary of the Galphin scandal: The
Galphin scandal involved a serious dispute between the government and the Galphin family regarding compensation for unresolved debts owed to the Galphin estate. George Crawford, the Secretary of War, and William Meredith the Secretary of the Treasury both important members of Zachary Taylor's cabinet were involved and became subject to a congressional investigation.

The Death of Zachary Taylor
In the midst of the Galphin scandal, President Zachary died on July 9, 1850 from a stomach-related illness and was replaced by vice president Millard Fillmore.  Fillmore immediately replaced members of the cabinet involved in the scandal (
William M. Meredith, George W. Crawford and Reverdy Johnson) with new appointments.

US American History
1841-1850: Westward Expansion

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Updated 2018-01-01

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