Franklin Pierce: the record and the legends

The Dark Horse. The 14th president, 1853-1857, from New Hampshire. Every story here is tagged Record, meaning it’s documented, or Legend, meaning it gets told a lot and doesn’t hold up. Each one links to its source.

President: 14th
In office: 1853-1857
Home state: New Hampshire
Party: Democratic
Height: 5'10"

The record

RecordIn May 1847, during the Mexican-American War, Brigadier General Pierce marched his brigade about 150 miles inland from Veracruz to Puebla to join the army's advance.Source: Miller Center, Pierce: Life Before the Presidency
RecordThe 1852 Democratic convention couldn't pick anyone. Ballot after ballot went nowhere, and many delegates had never heard of Pierce. He finally won on the 48th ballot.Source: Miller Center, Pierce: Campaigns and Elections
RecordAt his 1853 inauguration Pierce affirmed the oath instead of swearing it, and he was the first president to give his whole inaugural address from memory.Source: Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, 17th Inaugural Ceremonies
RecordIn 1856 the Democrats picked James Buchanan over Pierce. He's the only elected president his own party refused to nominate again.Source: Miller Center, Pierce: Key Events

The legends

LegendSome of his soldiers called him Fainting Frank, and his opponents used it in 1852 to call him a coward. What happened: at Contreras his horse stumbled, slammed him into the saddle and crushed his leg, and he passed out from the pain. He was back riding within about a month.Source: Miller Center, Pierce: Life Before the Presidency

What he cared about

Growing the country. He bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico and tried to get Cuba.
Letting settlers in new territories vote on slavery themselves, to hold his party together.
New trade abroad, including the treaty that opened Japan.

The full record

His foreign policy pushed to spread slavery. His diplomats argued for taking Cuba, and in 1856 he recognized William Walker's regime in Nicaragua, which meant to bring slavery there.

How he fights in POTUS KO

Brigadier general who marched 150 miles

Pierce got hurt, got back on the horse, and outlasted a convention that went 48 rounds. In the ring he's a brawler who grinds you down.

See POTUS KO

Questions about Franklin Pierce

Why was Franklin Pierce called Fainting Frank?

Some of his soldiers called him Fainting Frank, and his opponents used it in 1852 to call him a coward. What happened: at Contreras his horse stumbled, slammed him into the saddle and crushed his leg, and he passed out from the pain. He was back riding within about a month.

Did Franklin Pierce swear the oath of office?

At his 1853 inauguration Pierce affirmed the oath instead of swearing it, and he was the first president to give his whole inaugural address from memory.

Why didn't Franklin Pierce get a second term?

In 1856 the Democrats picked James Buchanan over Pierce. He's the only elected president his own party refused to nominate again.