David Rice Atchison (August 11, 1807 – January 26, 1886) was a mid-19th century Democratic United States Senator from Missouri. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate for six years. He is best known for the claim that for one day (March 4, 1849) he may have been Acting President of the United States.
Atchison, owner of many slaves and a plantation, was a prominent pro-slavery activist and Border Ruffian leader, deeply involved with violence against abolitionists and other free-staters during the "Bleeding Kansas" events.
Read more about David Rice Atchison: Early Life, Missouri Lawyer and Politician, Senate Career, Civil War Soldier, "President For One Day", Memorials
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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