Millard Fillmore in Early American Immigration

Millard Fillmore in Early American Immigration

Millard Fillmore (1800–1874) was the last Whig to serve as President of the United States, holding that office from 1850 to 1853. He was not elected, but rather rose to office from the vice presidency upon the death of his predecessor, Zachary Taylor. Fillmore's undistinguished presidency helped lead to the collapse of the Whig Party, and he failed to win even the Whig nomination to run for a second term in 1852.

In 1856, however, Fillmore returned to run for president again—this time as the candidate of the anti-immigrant Know-Nothings' American Party. In a three-way race against Democrat James Buchanan and John C. Fremont of the brand-new Republican Party, Fillmore finished last, winning just 23% of the vote. Voters apparently didn't find Fillmore and the Know-Nothings' anti-immigration crusade to be politically compelling.