Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States, serving from March 1849 until his death in July 1850. A member of the Whig Party, he was born in Virginia and became a national hero due to his military service, particularly during the Mexican-American War. Taylor's presidency was marked by his efforts to address the contentious issue of slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico, although he did not live long enough to see significant developments in this area.