Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States, passed away on October 8, 1869, at the age of 64. Liver cirrhosis claimed his life at his home in New Hampshire, making him a president whose story was deeply intertwined with personal struggle. A Democrat and a known alcoholic, Pierce holds the distinction of being the first and only president to hail from New Hampshire. His presidency was marred by a perceived lack of firmness on the issue of slavery, which ultimately cost him the support of many within his own party.
At just 64 years old, Pierce breathed his last in New Hampshire, his death the result of liver cirrhosis. In a remarkably candid moment after leaving office, he was once asked what he planned to do next — his response was that he had nothing else to do but drink.
The son of a war lieutenant who went on to become deeply entrenched in state politics, Pierce's legacy is not a kind one. Historians widely regard his presidency as one of the most unsuccessful in American history, largely due to the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska slavery legislation, which set the stage for the American civil war. Below are some fun facts about this often-overlooked commander in chief.
Fun Facts
- After his presidency, when asked what he would do, President Franklin Pierce said there was nothing else to do except drink.
- President Franklin Pierce was the first and last American president from New Hampshire.
- President Franklin Pierce's son died in a gruesome train crash.
- President Franklin Pierce served as president for only one term; the failure of the Kansan-Nebraska slavery act resulted in the American Civil war, and many democrats lost faith in him.
- During the 1852 elections, President Franklin Pierce vied against his former commander General Winfield Scott and won.