FRANKLIN PIERCE

1804-1869

14th President (1853-1857)

Biographical Data
Religious Views
Quotations
References, Links, & Further Reading

Education: Bowdoin

Occupation: lawyer, politician

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Religious Affiliation: Episcopalian

Summary of Religious Views:

Pierce was only baptized after the end of the Civil War.

Views on Religion & Politics:

Quotations:

"Recognizing the wisdom of the broad principle of absolute religious toleration proclaimed in our fundamental law, and rejoicing in the benign influence which it has exerted upon our social and political condition, I should shrink from a clear duty did I fail to express my deepest conviction that we can place no secure reliance upon any apparent progress if it be not sustained by national integrity, resting upon the great truths affirmed and illustrated by divine revelation. " -- First Annual Message, 5 December 1853

"Our forefathers of the thirteen united colonies, in acquiring their independence and in rounding this Republic of the United States of America, have devolved upon us, their descendants, the greatest and the most noble trust ever committed to the hands of man, imposing upon all, and especially such as the public will may have invested for the time being with political functions, the most sacred obligations. We have to maintain inviolate the great doctrine of the inherent right of popular self-government; to reconcile the largest liberty of the individual citizen with complete security of the public order; to render cheerful obedience to the laws of the land, to unite in enforcing their execution, and to frown indignantly on all combinations to resist them; to harmonize a sincere and ardent devotion to the institutions of religions faith with the most universal religious toleration; to preserve the rights of all by causing each to respect those of the other; ..." -- Second Annual Message, 4 December 1854

References, Links, & Further Reading: Books, Articles, Links

Books

Notice: Many of the books listed below include a link to Amazon. I hope this benefits you by making it easier to locate & purchase material that may be of interest to you. This also benefits me, because I am an Amazon Associate. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. At present, these earnings are only enough to partially offset the costs of maintaining this website, but but I do deeply appreciate the support.

Garry Boulard, The Expatriation of Franklin Pierce: The Story of a President and the Civil War, iUniverse, 2006
Larry Gara, The Presidency of Franklin Pierce (American Presidency Series), Univ. Press of Kansas, 1991
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Life of Franklin Pierce, 1852; reprint (Dodo Press)
Michael F. Holt, Franklin Pierce, Times Books, 2010
R. F. Nichols, Franklin Pierce - Young Hickory of the Granite Hills, 1931; 2d ed, Univ. of Pennsylvania Press, 1958
ed. I. J. Sloan, Franklin Pierce, 1804-1869; Chronology, Documents, Bibliographical Aids, Oceana Pub, 1968
Peter A. Wallner, Franklin Pierce: New Hampshire's Favorite Son, Plaidswede, 2004
Peter A. Wallner, Franklin Pierce: Martyr for the Union, Plaidswede, 2007

Articles

Links

Works by Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce (American Presidency Project)
Franklin Pierce: Historic Speeches (Presidential Rhetoric)
Inaugural Address (The Avalon Project -- Yale Law School)
Inaugural Address (Bartleby.com)

Biographical Sites

Franklin Pierce (POTUS)
Franklin Pierce (White House)
PIERCE, Franklin, 1804-1869 (Biographical Directory of the US Congress)
Franklin Pierce (American President)
Franklin Pierce (USA Presidents)
Life Portrait of Franklin Pierce (C-SPAN)
About Franklin Pierce (The Pierce Manse)
The Life of Franklin Pierce (Franklin Pierce Homestead)
The Franklin Pierce Bicentennial
Franklin Pierce (Medical History of the Presidents of the United States)

Religious Views

Franklin Pierce from The Religious Beliefs Of Our Presidents, by Franklin Steiner (Internet Infidels)