Zachary Taylor.

Born 24 Nov 1784 Barboursville, United States

Died 9 Jul 1850 Washington, United States

Citizenship United States

9 min read

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Apr 14, 2026

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TL;DR

Zachary Taylor, a career military officer who became a national hero in the Mexican-American War, served as the 12th U.S. president from 1849 until his death in 1850. He died after only 16 months in office, making his tenure the third shortest. Taylor never held political office before his presidency, and his top priority was preserving the Union amidst the slavery debate.

Identity & family.

KIN · 10

Names, aliases, and relatives of Zachary Taylor — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Nicknames Old Rough and Ready

PARENTS: Sarah Dabney Strother Richard Taylor
SPOUSES: Margaret Taylor
CHILDREN: Sarah Knox Taylor Mary Elizabeth Bliss Richard Taylor Ann Mackall Taylor Octavia Taylor Margaret Smith Taylor
SIBLINGS: Joseph Pannell Taylor

At a glance.

STATS

Zachary Taylor by the numbers — life, work, and family.

65 Years lived

2 Awards

1 Marriage

6 Children

Who was Zachary Taylor?

BIOGRAPHY

Zachary Taylor — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

On November 24, 1784, Zachary Taylor was born near Barboursville, Virginia to Richard Taylor, a veteran of the American Revolution, and Sarah Dabney Strother. The family moved to a Kentucky plantation during his childhood, where he grew up in a frontier environment. Taylor briefly attended the Virginia Military Institute, but his formal education was limited. His father’s military service and the frontier life influenced his later decision to pursue an Army career.

Career

Taylor’s military career spanned 40 years, rising to the rank of major general. He gained national fame for his victories in the Mexican-American War, particularly his leadership at the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847. This triumph catapulted him to the presidency in 1848, despite his vague political beliefs. As president, he took a firm stand against the expansion of slavery, threatening to use force against secessionists, but he died before resolving the crisis.

Personal life

Taylor married Margaret Mackall Smith on June 21, 1810, and they had six children: Ann, Sarah, Octavia, Margaret, Mary, and Richard. His daughter Sarah Knox Taylor married Jefferson Davis, the future president of the Confederacy, in 1835; she died of malaria soon after. Two of his daughters, Octavia and Margaret, died in infancy, marking the family with personal tragedies.

Legacy

As a war hero who died early in his term, Zachary Taylor left a mixed legacy. He received the Congressional Gold Medal and Thanks of Congress for his military service. His presidency, though just 16 months, set a precedent for opposing secession. His death from cholera morbus sparked conspiracy theories for decades, but he remains a symbol of the pre-Civil War Unionist struggle.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 2

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Zachary Taylor — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Congressional Gold Medal
Thanks of Congress

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 1

A wall of memorable lines from Zachary Taylor — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

It Would Be Judicious to Act with Magnanimity Towards a Prostrate Foe.

Did you know?

FACTS · 7

Little-known facts about Zachary Taylor — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States, and the first to be elected without any prior political experience.
He fathered six children: Ann, Sarah, Octavia, Margaret, Mary, and Richard; Octavia and Margaret died in infancy.
His daughter Sarah married Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederacy, who had served under Taylor in the Black Hawk War.
With a term of just 16 months, Taylor has the third shortest presidency, after William Henry Harrison and James Garfield.
He is the only U.S. president who died in office and was not elected in a year ending in zero; he was elected in 1848.
Taylor is the first U.S. president who never held a prior political office, only military.
At age 64, Taylor was one of the oldest presidents-elect at the time, along with his opponent Lewis Cass, who was 66.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 41

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Zachary Taylor.

When was Zachary Taylor born?

Zachary Taylor was born on November 24, 1784. His birthplace was near Barboursville, Virginia.
Where was Zachary Taylor born?

Zachary Taylor was born in Barboursville, Virginia, USA. This is in Orange County, Virginia.
When did Zachary Taylor die?

Zachary Taylor died on July 9, 1850. He passed away at the White House in Washington, D.C.
How old was Zachary Taylor when he died?

Zachary Taylor was 65 years old at the time of his death. He was born in 1784 and died in 1850.
Where did Zachary Taylor die?

Zachary Taylor died in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He died at the White House while still in office.
What caused Zachary Taylor's death?

Zachary Taylor died from cholera morbus, a severe gastrointestinal infection. It struck him after he attended a Fourth of July celebration in 1850.
What nationality was Zachary Taylor?

Zachary Taylor was an American. He was born in the United States and served as its 12th president.
What was Zachary Taylor's native language?

Zachary Taylor’s native language was English. He was born and raised in the United States.
Who were Zachary Taylor's parents?

Zachary Taylor’s parents were Richard Taylor and Sarah Dabney Strother. His father was a veteran of the American Revolution.
Who was Zachary Taylor's spouse?

Zachary Taylor was married to Margaret Mackall Smith, often called Margaret Taylor. They married in 1810 and remained together until his death.
How many children did Zachary Taylor have?

Zachary Taylor had six children: Sarah Knox Taylor, Mary Elizabeth Bliss, Richard Taylor, Ann Mackall Taylor, Octavia Taylor, and Margaret Smith Taylor. Two of them died in infancy.
Did Zachary Taylor have any siblings?

Yes, Zachary Taylor had one sibling, a brother named Joseph Pannell Taylor. Joseph served in the military as well.
Where did Zachary Taylor attend school?

Zachary Taylor attended the Virginia Military Institute. However, his formal education was limited and he did not graduate.
What awards did Zachary Taylor receive?

Zachary Taylor received the Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress. These were awarded for his military service in the Mexican-American War.
How tall was Zachary Taylor?

Zachary Taylor stood 5 feet 8 inches tall, or 1.73 meters. This was about average height for a man of his era.
What was Zachary Taylor's nickname?

Zachary Taylor was nicknamed Old Rough and Ready. The name reflected his informal, blunt manner and his willingness to share the hardships of his soldiers.
What military rank did Zachary Taylor achieve?

Zachary Taylor rose to the rank of major general in the United States Army. He was one of the highest-ranking officers of his time.
Which war made Zachary Taylor a national hero?

Zachary Taylor became a national hero for his victories in the Mexican-American War. His leadership in battles like Buena Vista earned him widespread fame.
Did Zachary Taylor serve in the Black Hawk War?

Yes, Zachary Taylor served in the Black Hawk War. He commanded troops that included his future son-in-law, Jefferson Davis.
What were the names of Zachary Taylor's children?

Zachary Taylor’s children were Ann Mackall Taylor, Sarah Knox Taylor, Octavia Pannell Taylor, Margaret Smith Taylor, Mary Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Scott Taylor. Octavia and Margaret died in childhood.
What was Zachary Taylor's occupation before becoming president?

Before becoming president, Zachary Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army. He served for nearly 40 years and never held a political office prior to the presidency.
Why is Zachary Taylor's presidency notable?

Zachary Taylor was the first U.S. president elected without any prior political experience. His term lasted only 16 months, making it the third shortest in history.
How long did Zachary Taylor serve as president?

Zachary Taylor served as president for only 16 months. He took office in March 1849 and died in July 1850.
Who did Zachary Taylor's daughter Sarah marry?

Zachary Taylor’s daughter Sarah Knox Taylor married Jefferson Davis in 1835. Davis later became the president of the Confederate States of America.
What was Zachary Taylor's policy on slavery?

Zachary Taylor opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories acquired from Mexico. He threatened to use military force to prevent secession over the issue.
Did Zachary Taylor die in office?

Yes, Zachary Taylor died while serving as president. He passed away on July 9, 1850, after 16 months in office.
What month did Zachary Taylor die?

Zachary Taylor died in July. His death followed a brief illness after attending a Fourth of July ceremony.
What year did Zachary Taylor become president?

Zachary Taylor became president in 1849. He was inaugurated on March 5, 1849.
How many U.S. presidents have died in office?

Eight U.S. presidents have died in office, including Zachary Taylor. He was the second president to die in office, after William Henry Harrison.
What was the cause of the cholera morbus that killed Taylor?

Cholera morbus was a term used in the 19th century for severe gastrointestinal illness, likely caused by contaminated food or water. Taylor developed symptoms after eating cherries and drinking cold milk at a Fourth of July event.
Was Zachary Taylor related to any other presidents?

Zachary Taylor was the second cousin once removed of James Madison. He was also the great-grandfather of Eleanor Roosevelt through his daughter Mary Elizabeth.
Did Zachary Taylor own slaves?

Yes, Zachary Taylor owned slaves. He had a plantation in Mississippi and owned about 200 slaves at the time of his death.
What was Zachary Taylor's stance on the Compromise of 1850?

Zachary Taylor opposed the Compromise of 1850. He wanted to admit California as a free state and settle the boundary dispute with New Mexico without concessions to the South.
Who succeeded Zachary Taylor as president?

Millard Fillmore, Taylor’s vice president, succeeded him after his death. Fillmore was a member of the Whig Party.
What was Zachary Taylor's height in feet and meters?

Zachary Taylor was 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is approximately 1.73 meters. He was of average height for the 19th century.
Did Zachary Taylor attend college?

Zachary Taylor had only formal schooling at the Virginia Military Institute, but he did not graduate. His education was mostly practical and self-taught.
What was the name of Zachary Taylor's plantation?

Zachary Taylor owned a plantation called Cypress Grove Plantation in Louisiana. He also owned land in Mississippi and Kentucky.
Did Zachary Taylor have any military experience before the Mexican-American War?

Yes, Zachary Taylor served in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War, and the Second Seminole War. He gained valuable command experience in these conflicts.
What was Zachary Taylor's political party?

Zachary Taylor was a member of the Whig Party. He was elected as a Whig in 1848.
How many votes did Zachary Taylor receive in the 1848 election?

Zachary Taylor won 163 electoral votes to Lewis Cass’s 127. He also won 47.3% of the popular vote.
What did Zachary Taylor do after the Mexican-American War?

After the Mexican-American War, Zachary Taylor retired to his plantation. He was soon nominated for president by the Whig Party and won the 1848 election.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on April 14, 2026

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