David Atchison

David Atchison was a 19th-century American politician who served as a U.S. senator from Missouri and briefly as president pro tempore of the Senate. He is historically notable for the curious coincidence that, on March 4, 1849—Inauguration Day—he was reportedly in Kansas and thus unavailable to assume the presidency after James K. Polk's term ended. Some humorously suggest Atchison was "president for a day," but since the Vice President was sworn in at that time, he did not actually serve as acting president. His career highlights his role in shaping Missouri politics and the Senate during that era.