Taylor and Fillmore: Life and Public Services of Zachary Taylor

What it is

This is a campaign biography of Zachary Taylor, published in 1848, with Fillmore listed as a secondary subject because he was Taylor's running mate. The opening describes Taylor's birth in Orange County, Virginia, in 1784, his youth in Kentucky, and his service in the War of 1812, including his defense of Fort Harrison. The scanned book's cover is olive green with a Library of Congress call number, and the record is held by the Library of Congress.

Why it matters

Campaign biographies were written to present a candidate to voters, so this book tells students how Taylor and his ticket were presented before the election. Fillmore became president after Taylor died in July 1850, so this book belongs to the start of the story that brought him to the White House. The text is a primary source from the campaign period, though it is written to promote its subject.

Look closer

• What qualities of Taylor does the biography stress, and why might a campaign want voters to see them?
• Why does this book list Fillmore as a subject when he is not its main figure?
• What might a campaign biography leave out about a candidate's weaknesses or political opponents?