David Rice Atchison

David Rice Atchison
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office December 20, 1852 – December 4, 1854
Preceded by	William R. King
Succeeded by	Lewis Cass
In office August 8, 1846 – December 2, 1849
Preceded by	Ambrose Hundley Sevier
Succeeded by	William R. King
United States Senator from Missouri
In office October 14, 1843 – March 3, 1855
Preceded by	Lewis F. Linn
Succeeded by	James S. Green
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
In office 1834
In office 1838
Personal details
Born	(1807-08-11)August 11, 1807 Lexington, Kentucky
Died	January 26, 1886(1886-01-26) (aged 78) Gower, Missouri
Resting place	Greenlawn Cemetery, Plattsburg, Missouri
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Transylvania University
Profession	Lawyer, politician
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States Missouri (Confederate)
Branch/service	Missouri Volunteer Militia Missouri State Guard
Years of service	1838 (MVM) 1861–1862 (MSG)
Rank	Major-General (MVM) Brigadier-General (MSG)
Battles/wars	Missouri Mormon War American Civil War Action at Blue Mills Landing

David Rice Atchison (August 11, 1807 – January 26, 1886) was an American Democratic^[1] politician. He was a United States Senator from Missouri. He was President pro tempore of the United States Senate for six years.^[2]

He is best known for the claim that for 24 hours—Sunday, March 4, 1849 through noon on Monday—he may have been Acting President of the United States. This, however, has been dismissed by nearly all historians, scholars, and biographers.^[3][4]

1. ↑ "David Rice Atchison Biography". Who2.com. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
2. ↑ "1801: President for a Day -- March 4, 1849". Senate.gov. May 29, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
3. ↑ United States Senate, Art and History, History Minute: March 4, 1849-President for A Day, Senate.gov. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
4. ↑ Christopher Klein (February 18, 2013). "The 24-Hour President". The History Channel. Retrieved June 18, 2013.