Franklin Pierce

Age:  48 years
old  Wife:  Jane – 3 Children (all died)

Political Party:
Democrat

Term(s) as President:
1853-1857

Home State:  Born: November 23, 1804 -Hillsboro, New
Hampshire

Notes:    Northern Democrat with strong ties
to the South

Well known and well liked

“Enters office offensive to none, leaves office
reviled by all.”

-
Charming

-
Alcoholic

-
Charismatic

-
Man about town

Nation drank a lot – called Alcoholic Republic

Pierce not known to have drank while in office.

3rd Child (Benny) killed in train accident just
after Pierce is elected – 11 years old

Vice President Willima Rufin King dies

Kansas- Nebraska Act

-
repeals Missouri Compromise and allows states to decide
slavery issue.

-
Bill barely passes, upsets Abolitionist

Abraham Lincoln forms Republican Party to oppose slavery

Bloody Kansas – Kansas erupts into
violence

Rejected by Democrats and was not re-nominated for the 1856
election

After his wife dies, Pierce slips back into Alcoholism and
dies a recluse.