Zachary Taylor

Date of Birth: November 24, 1784

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: July 9, 1850

Biography

Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1849, until his death on July 9, 1850. Before his presidency, Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army, rising to the rank of major general. He became a national hero as a result of his victories in the Mexican-American War, which ultimately catapulted him to the White House despite his lack of prior political experience. Born into a prominent planter family, Taylor spent his early life on the Kentucky frontier before joining the military. His presidency was marked by his stance on the expansion of slavery, which was a contentious issue during his time in office. Taylor unexpectedly died 16 months into his term, leading to widespread speculation about the cause of his death.

5 Interesting Facts about Zachary Taylor

1. Zachary Taylor earned the nickname “Old Rough and Ready” for his willingness to share the hardships of field duty with his troops.

2. He was the last U.S. President to own slaves while in office.

3. Taylor did not vote until he was 62 years old and running for president, as he had spent most of his life as a soldier and had never established a permanent home.

4. He was the second president to die in office, after William Henry Harrison.

5. Despite his Southern upbringing, Taylor was firmly against the secession of Southern states and opposed the expansion of slavery into the newly acquired territories from the Mexican-American War.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Zachary Taylor

1. “I have always done my duty. I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me.”

2. “It would be judicious to act with magnanimity towards a prostrate foe.”

3. “I will not say I would not serve if the good people were imprudent enough to elect me.”

4. “The power given by the Constitution to the executive to interpose between the people and the legislative branch is a power which should be exercised with the utmost care and caution.”

5. “My life has been devoted to arms, yet I look upon war at all times and under all circumstances as a national calamity, to be avoided if compatible with national honor.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Zachary Taylor’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $6 million in today’s dollars, largely derived from his plantation holdings and military salary.

Children

Zachary Taylor had six children with his wife, Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor: 1. Ann Margaret Mackall Taylor 2. Sarah Knox Taylor 3. Octavia Pannill Taylor 4. Margaret Smith Taylor 5. Mary Elizabeth Taylor 6. Richard Scott Taylor