Taylor, Zachary. American general and twentieth president of the United States. Born in Orange County, VA, in 1784. Was educated in Kentucky and, after entering the army in 1808, obtained the rank of colonel in 1832, and fought in the Black Hawk War. After defeating the Seminoles at Okechobee in 1837, he was given the chief command in Florida in the following year. In 1846 he was entrusted with the command of the army which entered Mexico. There he gained the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Buena Vista, and brought the campaign to a successful conclusion in 1847. In the following year Taylor was returned as Whig candidate for the presidency. His tenure of office was chiefly signalized by the passing of Clay's Compromise Bill with regard to the admission of California into the Union. Zachary Taylor died in 1850.

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