Taylor, Zachary (Administration)

A military veteran, Zachary Taylor served as the 12th president of the United States. He served less than two years before dying in his office. There is continued debate about whether he was poisoned, or died of another illness. Despite the short timeframe, Taylor was wracked by controversies, including a proposal to expand slavery across northern Mexico, and a series of corruption allegations levied against senior members of his administration, including numerous cabinet leaders. Taylor was born and raised in Kentucky, and joined the army in the early 1800s. He truly embodied the military lifestyle, and greatly enjoyed opportunities to both serve and lead, ultimately spending four decades fighting in the War of 1812, the Seminole War, and the Mexican War. The Mexican War was ...