William R. King (1786 - 1853) was an American politician who served as the 13th vice president of the United States under President Franklin Pierce. Born in North Carolina on April 7, 1786, King had a long career in public service, including roles as a U.S. senator from Alabama and as the U.S. minister to France. His political career was marked by his support for Southern interests and slavery. King was elected vice president in 1852 under Franklin Pierce but served only a brief time due to ill health. He was inaugurated in March 1853 but died just 45 days later, making his tenure the shortest in U.S. history.