Who Was The Last U.S. President Not Associated With Either The Democratic Or Republican Party?

Millard Fillmore was the last United States President not associated with either the Democratic or Republican Party. Fillmore served between July 10, 1850 and March 4, 1853, immediately following the term of Whig President Zachary Taylor.

Fillmore was born at Summerhill, New York, in 1800. He studied law and achieved financial success before entering politics. He was an early member of the Whig Party and served for several years in the House of Representatives. He became Vice President under Taylor, and the Whig Party failed to agree on a presidential candidate for the 1850 election. This caused Fillmore to run as a "Know-Nothing" independent, a party comprised mainly of former Whigs. Fillmore campaigned on a platform that supported a compromise between northern and southern states over slavery, and despite not having the support of a major party he still managed to briefly beat out the Democratic and Republican opponents.

As President, Fillmore’s main accomplishment was signing the Compromise of 1850, a series of measures that sought to address the growing problem of slavery and balance the interests of both the northern and southern states. Fillmore also promoted westward settlement, signed trade agreements with the Pacific Northwest, and supported the building of Central American canals.

In 1852, Fillmore once again sought the presidency but was unsuccessful. Following his defeat he returned to Buffalo, New York, where he lived out the remainder of his life in private practice before dying in 1874.