A self-made man, Millard Fillmore grew up in near poverty and began his working career as a clothmaker's apprentice. He taught himself reading, spelling, arithmetic, and geography, studied law and became a lawyer, then won election to the New York State Legislature and to the U.S. House of Representatives. He did not become known nationally, however, until the Whig Party chose him to be Zachary Taylor's vice-presidential running mate in 1848; in 1850, he became the second Vice-President to become President upon the death of the chief executive.

Chronology of His Life and Career

	January 7, 1800	Born in Cayuga County, New York.
	1814-1819	Apprenticed to a clothmaker.
	1823	Opened a law office in East Aurora, New York.
	February 5, 1826	Married Abigail Powers.
	1828	Elected to the New York House of Representatives.
	1830	Moved to Buffalo, New York.
	1832	Elected to U.S. House of Representatives; served from 1833 to 1835.
	1836	Again elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; served from 1837 to 1843.
	1844	Defeated in bid for governorship of New York.
	1846	Became the first Chancellor of the University of Buffalo.
	1847	Elected Comptroller of New York.
	1848	Elected Vice-President of the United States.
	July 10, 1850	Succeeded to the presidency.
	1852	Defeated in bid for presidential nomination.
	1853	Mrs. Abigail Fillmore died.
	1856	Defeated in bid for presidential election.
	February 10, 1858	Married Mrs. Caroline McIntosh.
	March 8, 1874	Died in Buffalo, New York.
	1932	A statue of Fillmore was dedicated in Buffalo.

Notes and Trivia

When Oxford University offered him an honorary degree, Fillmore replied that he had done nothing to deserve the honor, and would not accept it.

See Also

Zachary Taylor
New York

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This page was last updated on December 05, 2018.