Franklin Pierce (1804 - 1869)

Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States of America (1853-57).

Pierce entered political life in New Hampshire as a Democrat, serving in the state legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Senate. Pierce saw the abolitionist movement (which sought to eliminate slavery in the country) as a fundamental threat to the unity of the nation, and alienated anti-slavery groups by signing the Kansas-Nebraska Act and enacting the Fugitive Slave Act.

The results of his presidency were generally so poor that Democrats refused to allow Pierce to run again. Years later he died in obscurity, accused of betraying the nation and disgraced. Historians and scholars generally rate Pierce as one of the worst U.S. presidents.