Dictionary.net

(1800-1874), was born in New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1823 and began practice in Aurora, N. Y. He was elected by the Anti-Masons a member of the New York House of Representatives from 1829 to 1831, and drafted the bill abolishing imprisonment for debt. He represented New York as a Whig in the Congress of the United States from 1833 to 1835, and again from 1837 to 1843, when he served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and drafted the tariff bill of 1842. From 1847 to 1849 lie was State Comptroller. In 1848 he was elected Vice-President of the United States on the Whig ticket with Zachary Taylor for President. After the death of Taylor on July 9, 1850, he became President and served until March 3, 1853. During his administration the Compromise Acts of 1850 were passed and the Japanese expedition of 1852 was arranged. In 1856 he was defeated as the National American candidate for President of the United States. He commanded a corps during the Civil War, and was president of the Buffalo Historical Society.