Franklin Pierce Biography
Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, was born on 23 November 1804 in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. He was the fifth of eight children born to Benjamin Pierce, a Revolutionary War veteran and prominent politician, and Anna Kendrick Pierce. His father’s political influence and military service played a significant role in shaping young Franklin’s aspirations. Raised in a politically active household, he was exposed to debates on governance and leadership from an early age.
Pierce’s childhood was relatively comfortable, though disciplined, as his father held high expectations for him. He attended local schools before enrolling at the Hancock Academy and later the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy. Despite an initial lack of academic discipline, he improved his performance and, at the age of 15, entered Bowdoin College in Maine. At Bowdoin, he studied alongside future literary figures such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Although he was not a top student, Pierce developed strong oratory skills and an affable personality that would later serve him well in politics. He graduated in 1824 and went on to study law under the guidance of Judge Levi Woodbury, a prominent Democratic politician. In 1827, he was admitted to the bar and established a legal practice in Concord, New Hampshire.
Pierce quickly became involved in politics, aligning himself with the Democratic Party. In 1829, at just 24 years old, he was elected to the New Hampshire state legislature. His charm, persuasive speaking, and political acumen helped him rise swiftly through the ranks. By 1831, he had become Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, where he gained a reputation for his strong party loyalty and commitment to states’ rights.
In 1833, Pierce was elected to the United States House of Representatives, making him one of the youngest members of Congress at the time. He was an ardent supporter of President Andrew Jackson and defended Jacksonian policies such as the removal of Native American tribes and opposition to the national bank. In 1837, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he continued to advocate for Democratic principles. However, frustrated with the political climate and longing for a quieter life, he resigned from the Senate in 1842 and returned to New Hampshire to focus on his law practice and family.
Pierce married Jane Means Appleton in 1834. A deeply religious and reserved woman, Jane was uncomfortable with her husband’s political career and disliked the social scene in Washington, D.C. Their marriage was marked by personal tragedy, as all three of their children died young. The loss of their last surviving son, Benjamin, in a train accident shortly before Pierce’s inauguration, devastated both of them, and Jane never fully recovered from the grief. Her fragile health and deep sorrow cast a sombre shadow over Pierce’s presidency.
Though he had stepped away from national politics, Pierce remained an influential figure within the Democratic Party. When the Mexican-American War broke out in 1846, he enlisted as a volunteer and was appointed as a brigadier general. Though he lacked prior military experience, his leadership in battle earned him respect. He served under General Winfield Scott and participated in key campaigns in Mexico. His service further bolstered his national reputation and re-established his political viability.
By the early 1850s, the Democratic Party was deeply divided over the issue of slavery and territorial expansion. At the 1852 Democratic National Convention, leading candidates failed to secure enough support, and after multiple ballots, Pierce emerged as a compromise nominee. Though he was not widely known nationally, his strong party loyalty and ability to appeal to both Northern and Southern Democrats made him an acceptable choice. He faced Whig candidate General Winfield Scott in the general election and won by a significant margin, becoming the youngest president at the time when he took office on 4 March 1853.
Pierce’s presidency was dominated by escalating sectional tensions over slavery. He strongly supported the Compromise of 1850 and sought to maintain harmony between North and South. However, his most controversial decision was his endorsement of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. This legislation, which allowed settlers in new territories to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery, effectively overturned the Missouri Compromise and led to violent conflicts in what became known as “Bleeding Kansas.” Pierce’s handling of the crisis alienated many in the North and further deepened national divisions.
His administration was also marked by expansionist policies. He sought to strengthen U.S. influence in the Pacific and Latin America, backing the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, which secured land from Mexico for a potential transcontinental railroad. His government also pursued attempts to acquire Cuba from Spain, but these efforts, outlined in the controversial Ostend Manifesto, were met with fierce opposition and ultimately failed.
Pierce’s support for pro-slavery policies and his inability to unite the country cost him re-nomination by the Democratic Party in 1856. His presidency was widely regarded as a failure, and he left office deeply unpopular. He returned to New Hampshire, but his post-presidency years were marked by increasing isolation and struggles with alcoholism. His wife’s continued ill health and the lingering grief over their children’s deaths weighed heavily on him.
During the Civil War, Pierce’s opposition to Abraham Lincoln’s policies and his criticism of the Union war effort further damaged his reputation. Though he opposed secession, his Southern sympathies led to accusations of disloyalty. As a result, he became estranged from many former allies, and his political influence waned.
Franklin Pierce died on 8 October 1869 at the age of 64 in Concord, New Hampshire, from complications related to cirrhosis of the liver. He was buried in Old North Cemetery in Concord, a city that had long been his home. Pierce’s legacy remains one of controversy. His presidency is often criticised for its role in exacerbating sectional divisions and paving the way for the Civil War. His personal tragedies and struggles with alcohol contributed to his sombre and often ineffective leadership. However, his political rise from humble beginnings and his deep loyalty to the Democratic Party reflect the complex nature of American politics in the mid-19th century. While he may not be remembered as one of the great presidents, his life and career provide insight into the turbulent period leading up to the Civil War.
Franklin Pierce FAQ
Franklin Pierce was the 14th president of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857. A northern Democrat from New Hampshire, he is remembered for his attempts to maintain peace between North and South, which ultimately deepened sectional divisions.
He was born on November 23, 1804, in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA.
Pierce’s presidency is best known for the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which repealed the Missouri Compromise and reignited tensions over the expansion of slavery, leading to violent conflict known as “Bleeding Kansas.”
He served in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and also fought in the Mexican-American War, rising to the rank of brigadier general.
No, his party did not renominate him for the 1856 election due to his unpopularity and the growing crisis over slavery.
