William R. King Biography

William Rufus King was an American politician and diplomat who is often remembered as the shortest-serving Vice President of United States. A senator and diplomat, King remained in office only for six weeks, between March 1853 and April 1853. Born to a wealthy family of North Carolina, King, after completing elementary education from private schools, graduated from the University of North Carolina and went on to study law. Later, he was admitted to the bar and gravitated into politics, becoming a Congressman at the age of 25. Afterwards, he moved to Alabama and became the first Senator of Alabama, later reelected at the post several times in his career. As Senator, King was an advocate of the “southern” way of life, who opposed prohibiting slavery in the District of Columbia, and supported the expansion of slavery into the territories. After serving on various posts in politics over the years, he was elected Vice President of the United States in the administration of Franklin Pierce in 1853. He took his oath for the office in Cuba, where he had gone to improve his health, courtesy a privilege extended by special act of Congress. Until today, he is the only member of the U.S. executive branch to have been sworn into office on foreign soil. Shortly after, he returned to Alabama and died the next day, following a prolonged illness. He remained in office for only six weeks and is therefore dubbed as the shortest-serving Vice President of US.