Zachary Taylor (24 November 1784-9 July 1850) was an American military leader and the twelfth President of the United States. Taylor's short Presidency was shadowed by the issue that was then dominating all aspects of American national affairs - that of slavery. Taylor's brief term in the White House also featured the still on-going question of balancing power between the Congress and the presidency. This book provides a concise biography of President Zachary Taylor, detailing the issues which plagued his time in office, as well as the manner in which he handled these issues and famously asserted his authority as a political leader.