Taylor, Zachary

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Taylor, Zachary (1784–1850) Twelfth US president (1849–50). A soldier with little formal education, he fought in the War of 1812. In 1845, Taylor was ordered to occupy the recently annexed land of Texas – an act which set off the Mexican War. He emerged from the war a popular hero. Taylor won the Whig nomination for president and the subsequent election (1848), but died after only 16 months in office.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents

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