Early Life and Law Career

Millard Fillmore was born on January 7, 1800, in Cayuga County, New York. He was one of nine children. As a teenager, he apprenticed with a cloth maker and had little formal education aside from briefly attending New Hope Academy. In 1819, he began studying law under Judge Walter Wood in Montville, New York. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1823 and began practicing law in East Aurora. In 1826, he married Abigail Powers, and they had two children.

Success in Law and Education

Fillmore's legal career grew quickly. In 1836, he co-founded the firm Fillmore, Hall & Haven, which became one of western New York’s top law firms. In 1846, he helped found the University of Buffalo, which is now the largest campus in the SUNY system. Fillmore also served in the New York State Assembly from 1832 to 1843 and was New York State Comptroller from 1848 to 1849.

Vice Presidency

In 1849, Fillmore was selected as the running mate for Whig presidential candidate Zachary Taylor. Though not well-known nationally, he was chosen to help gain support in New York and to prevent fellow New Yorker Thurlow Weed from receiving the nomination.

President of the United States

After President Taylor died unexpectedly in 1850, Fillmore became the 13th president of the United States. He was the last president from the Whig Party and the first president born after George Washington’s death. His presidency faced internal Whig conflicts and rising tensions over slavery. He signed the Compromise of 1850, which allowed California to enter as a free state, created the New Mexico Territory, and enforced the Fugitive Slave Law in the North—angering many Northerners.

The Know-Nothing Party and Later Life

As the Whig Party collapsed due to disputes over slavery, Fillmore joined the Know-Nothing Party, a group opposed to Catholic immigration. The party soon fell apart, and Fillmore’s political career ended. In 1862, he founded the Buffalo Historical Society and served as its first president. He died of a stroke on March 8, 1874.

Most Famous Quote

"An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory." – Millard Fillmore

Discussion Questions

1. Why was Fillmore selected as Zachary Taylor’s running mate despite being relatively unknown?
2. How did the Compromise of 1850 try to resolve tensions between the North and South?
3. What were the beliefs of the Know-Nothing Party, and why did Fillmore join them?
4. How did Fillmore's early life influence his political and legal career?

Glossary

• Apprentice – Someone who learns a trade from a skilled employer
• Bar – The legal profession or the exam required to become a lawyer
• Whig Party – A political party active in the 1800s that supported Congress over the presidency
• Fugitive Slave Law – A law that required escaped slaves to be returned to their owners even if found in free states
• Know-Nothing Party – A political party in the mid-1800s known for its anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic beliefs

Five Interesting Facts

• Fillmore was the last U.S. president from the Whig Party.
• He founded the University of Buffalo, still a major university today.
• He became president after Zachary Taylor died in office.
• He signed the Compromise of 1850 into law, which included the controversial Fugitive Slave Law.
• He helped establish the Buffalo Historical Society in 1862.

Timeline of Millard Fillmore’s Life

1. 1800 – Born in Cayuga County, New York
2. 1819 – Began studying law under Judge Walter Wood
3. 1823 – Admitted to the New York bar
4. 1826 – Married Abigail Powers
5. 1832–1843 – Served in the New York State Assembly
6. 1836 – Founded successful law firm Fillmore, Hall & Haven
7. 1846 – Founded University of Buffalo
8. 1848–1849 – New York State Comptroller
9. 1849 – Became Vice President under Zachary Taylor
10. 1850 – Became 13th President after Taylor's death
11. 1850 – Signed the Compromise of 1850
12. 1856 – Ran for president as a Know-Nothing candidate
13. 1862 – Founded the Buffalo Historical Society
14. 1874 – Died of a stroke on March 8