Millard Fillmore (1800-1874)

Millard Fillmore (1800-1874), the second Vice-President to inherit the nation's highest office, became President when Zachary Taylor died. During his 32 months in office, Fillmore's most important action was his approval of the Compromise of 1850. This series of laws helped delay the Civil War for more than 10 years.

A self-made man, Fillmore had been a poor boy who was once a clothmaker's apprentice. He studied law, then won election to the New York state legislature and to Congress. He became known nationally only after the Whig political party chose him to be Taylor's Vice-Presidential running mate in 1848.

As Vice-President, Fillmore presided cooly over the heated Senate debates between slavery and antislavery forces. The Compromise of 1850, which he helped achieve, had been opposed by President Taylor because of its concessions to the South. But when Taylor died, Fillmore urged passage of the compromise, and quickly signed it into law. Fillmore personally did not approve of slavery. But he loved the Union, and preferred compromise to the risk of war.

Fillmore faithfully enforced the compromise, including its provision for the return of runaway slaves. This policy lost him the support of most Northerners, and he was not nominated for President in 1852.

A conservative dresser, Fillmore always wore a dark frock coat and a high-collared shirt with a black silk neckcloth tied in a bow in front. He had kindly blue eyes and a gracious, courteous manner. People admired his modesty. When Oxford University offered him an honorary degree, Fillmore replied that he had done nothing to deserve the honor, and would not accept it.