alternatehistory.com

1853 is known as the Year of Four Presidents. On January 6 1853 president-elect Franklin Pierce and his family were in a train accident. His wife and son survived, but Franklin wasn't so lucky and was nearly decapitated in the accident. At the time it wasn't clear what was supposed to happen to the vice president-elect, but like how Tyler established the precedent of the accidental president, William R King was made the president-elect. Of course, he was at death's door himself and died in April.

President Pro Tempore David R Atchison became the acting president, though it was ultimately decided that a special election would happen in 1853. Atchison focused on becoming president on his own right, and faced stiff competition from the likes of Lewis Cass, Stephen Douglas and James Buchanan. The Whigs wanted to go with Millard Fillmore

My question is this: had the train accident not occurred and Pierce was inaugurated, what kind of president would he have been?
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