Franklin Pierce was born on November 23, 1804 in Hillsborough (now spelled Hillsboro), New Hampshire. His father was General Benjamin Pierce (later Governor of New Hampshire) and his mother was Ann Kendrick Pierce. He was a graduate of Bowdoin College in 1824 and he served as our nation’s 14th President from March 4, 1853 to March 3, 1857.

     Mr. Pierce was a lawyer. He served in the New Hampshire Legislature and later was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. During the Mexican-American War, Franklin Pierce was wounded in battle. He served under General Winfield Scott, whom he later defeated in the Presidential election of 1852. He had the first bathroom, complete with hot & cold running water, installed in The White House, and also brought in the first Christmas Tree. His memory was so keen that he was able to deliver his entire inaugural address (3,319 words) without having to refer to notes of any kind.

     Franklin Pierce married Jane Means Appleton in 1834. They had three children: Franklin (who died in infancy), Frank Robert and Benjamin (both of whom died as boys). He was the first elected President who was denied nomination for a second term.  He retired to New Hampshire to spend his time fishing.

     President Franklin Pierce died of cirrhosis of the liver on October 8, 1869 in Concord, New Hampshire. He was 64.

            

Biographical Sketch © 2002 Damon Leigh (ASCAP)

Presidential Portrait © 2002 Chas Fagan