Benjamin Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857. He was born on November 23, 1804, in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Before his presidency, Pierce was a lawyer and a politician, serving in various roles, including a U.S. Congressman and a Senator. During his presidency, Pierce faced significant challenges, including tensions over slavery and the expansion of the United States. His administration is often criticized for its inability to address the growing divide between the North and South, which ultimately contributed to the onset of the American Civil War. Pierce's presidency ended in 1857, and he returned to private life.