Zachary Taylor (November 24; 1784 - July 9; 1850) was the 12th President of the United States; serving from March 1849 until his death in July 1850. Before his presidency; Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army; rising to the rank of major general.

Taylor's status as a national hero as a result of his victories in the Mexican-American War won him election to the White House. His top priority as president was preserving the Union; but he died seventeen months into his term; before making any progress on the status of slavery; which had been inflaming tensions in Congress.