David Rice Atchison

David Rice Atchison, born on August eleventh, eighteen oh seven, was a notable figure in mid-19th-century American politics. As a Democratic United States Senator from Missouri, he held the position of president pro tempore of the Senate for six years, showcasing his influence and leadership within the legislative body.

In addition to his political career, Atchison was a lawyer and judge, and he served as a military officer. He played a significant role during Missouri's Mormon War in eighteen thirty-eight, where he held the rank of major general in the Missouri State Militia. His military involvement continued during the American Civil War, where he served as a Confederate brigadier general under Major General Sterling Price in the Missouri Home Guard.

Atchison's legacy is marked by a controversial claim that he may have acted as the president of the United States for a brief period of twenty-four hours, from March fourth to noon on March fifth, eighteen forty-nine. However, this assertion is largely dismissed by historians and scholars.

As a prominent pro-slavery activist and leader of the border ruffians, Atchison was deeply involved in the violent conflicts against abolitionists and free-staters during the tumultuous events of 'Bleeding Kansas,' which preceded Missouri's admission to the Union. His ownership of slaves and a plantation further underscores his commitment to the pro-slavery cause.