M Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor (1784–1850), the 12th President (1849–1850), was a national war hero from the Mexican–American War before being elected. A Southern slaveholder, he surprised many by taking moderate stances on slavery expansion, favoring the preservation of the Union above all during the tense debates leading up to the Compromise of 1850.

Interesting anecdote: Taylor’s death in office came suddenly after he fell ill, reportedly after consuming iced milk and cherries at a July 4, 1850 celebration. His sudden demise fueled rumors of poisoning, but historians generally conclude it was acute gastroenteritis.