Millard Fillmore Papers

State University of New York at Oswego - Penfield Library

Image and signature of Millard Fillmore - Image Source

Collection Facts

Extent:

Dates of Original:

1817-1889

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Historical Context

Millard Fillmore was the thirteenth President of the United States and served as the executive officer from 1850 - 1853. He also was a member of the New York State Legislature from 1828 to 1832, a member of the United States House of Representatives 1833 to 1841, and Vice President of the United States from 1849 until the death of President Zachary Taylor in 1850. In 1852, he failed to secure the Presidential nomination of the Whig party nomination mainly attributed to the Compromise of 1850 and his signature of the Fugitive Slave Act into law and left office in 1853. He attempted to run for the presidency in 1856 on the American (Know-Nothing) Party ticket but was roundly defeated. After his political career, he went on to organize the Buffalo Historical Society.

Scope of Collection

The papers consist of incoming correspondence from 1817 to 1876, relating primarily to Millard Fillmore's law practice in Buffalo, New York, his political career in New York State, and his service in both the United States legislative and executive offices. Among the papers is correspondence from prominent American politicians, such as Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, President William Henry Harrison, Dorothea Dix, Anna Ella Carroll, and Thurlow Weed. There is an inventory of the books in his library and another of the furnishings taken from the White House at the close of his administration. Included are financial records, legal documents, speeches, writings and notes, newspaper clippings, ephemera, maps, passport, and miscellaneous materials.