The Robinson Library
White House portrait of Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore:
13th President of the United States, 1850-1853

Millard Fillmore was the second Vice-President to inherit the nation's highest office, becoming President upon the death of Zachary Taylor, on July 10, 1850. During his 32 months in office, Fillmore's most important action was his approval of the Compromise of 1850, a series of laws that helped delay the Civil War for more than 10 years. His faithful enforcement of the Compromise, including its provision for the return of runaway slaves, however, lost him the support of most Northerners, and he was not nominated for a full term as President in 1852.

His Cabinet
Secretary of State Daniel Webster
Edward Everett (1852)
Secretary of the Treasury Thomas Corwin
Secretary of War Charles M. Conrad
Attorney General John J. Crittenden
Postmaster General Nathan K. Hall
Samuel D. Hubbard (1852)
Secretary of the Navy William A. Graham
John P. Kennedy (1852)
Secretary of the Interior Thomas M.T. McKennan
Alexander H.H. Stuart (1850)
   
United States Events During His Administration
States Admitted to the Union California (1850)
Territories Organized New Mexico (1850), Utah (1850), Washington (1853)
Population in 1853 25,700,000
1850 The Compromise of 1850 was passed.
1851-1852 Uncle Tom's Cabin was published by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
1852 Direct rail service began between New York City and Chicago.
1852 School attendance became compulsory in Massachusetts.
   
World Events During His Administration
1851 Cholera epidemic swept Canada.
1852 Napoleon III became Emperor of France.
1852 Henri Giffard flew the first successful airship.
1852 The South African Republic was established.
1852 Commodore Matthew C. Perry left for Japan to open that country to world trade.

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Zachary Taylor
Civil War
Daniel Webster
California
New Mexico
The Robinson Library--History: America.--United States.--Revolution to the Civil War, 1775/1783-1861.--Middle Nineteenth Century, 1845/1848-1861.--Millard Fillmore's Administration, 1850-1853.

This page was last updated on 06/01/2008.