Franklin Pierce: The Forgotten President

Franklin Pierce, often described as “the most forgettable president,” was the 14th President of the United States. He held this esteemed position for four years, from 1853 to 1857, but beyond that, few people know much about him. Here are some hilarious tidbits about the man who most people mistake for a frozen pizza brand.

Early Life

Franklin Pierce was born in 1804 in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. As a child, he suffered from terrible headaches and stomach problems. His family believed that the ailments were caused by too much reading and studying, so they encouraged him to spend more time outdoors. Pierce had a love for horses, which would follow him through his life - he even had one stationed in the White House stable.

Political Career

Pierce followed in the footsteps of his father, who was governor of New Hampshire, and became a lawyer. He joined the Democratic Party and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1832. He later served in the Senate and then as president, which is surprising since his undistinguished record left him with a significant uncertainty to his place in America’s history.

Presidential Achievements

Pierce’s presidency is not known for its accomplishments. In fact, historians often refer to his administration as the “Dark Horse Presidency,” a reference to the unexpected nature of his win. He was an advocate for states’ rights, which is usually a polite way of saying “he didn’t do much.”

Interesting Facts

• Pierce was fond of drinking, and it is rumored that alcoholism played a role in his mediocre presidency.
• When Pierce was elected president, his wife, Jane, was so upset by the death of their son that she refused to attend the inauguration.
• Pierce was the first president to do away with wearing a wig in daily life. Instead, he received some of the most brutal haircuts from his wife.

Legacy

In the annual rankings of presidential greatness provided by political historians, Franklin Pierce usually finishes near the bottom. But, we can all be comforted by the fact that even the “most forgettable president” will have an entry in the history books.

Conclusion

Franklin Pierce was a man of many contradictions: a lover of horses who served in a cavalry regiment but loathed animal rights groups. He was also a deeply mediocre president, who didn’t really do much during his time in office. Nonetheless, he is an important part of our nation’s rich history, even if only as a cautionary tale to future politicians to always have your policy on point.