William Orlando Butler (April 19, 1791 - August 6, 1880) was a U.S. political figure from Kentucky. He served as a Democratic congressman from Kentucky from 1839 to 1843, and was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee under Lewis Cass in 1848. He was born in Kentucky and graduated at Transylvania University in 1812. He fought in a number of engagements in southern States during the War of 1812. He fought at the famous Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.
From 1817-1844, he worked as a lawyer and a politician. He was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor in 1844.
On June 29, 1846, he was appointed major general of volunteers and commanded the 1st Volunteer Division in the Army of Occupation. He served as second-in-command to Zachary Taylor during the Battle of Monterrey in which he was wounded. On February 18, 1848, he superseded General Winfield Scott as the commanding general of the American army. He left the service on August 18, 1848.
He published a collection of poems entitled, The Boatman's Horn and Other Poems, and he was present at the peace conference of 1861.
Preceded by: George M. Dallas Democratic Party vice presidential candidate 1848 (lost) Succeeded by: William R. King Preceded by: Richard French Democratic nominee for Governor of Kentucky 1844-1844) Succeeded by: Lazarus W. Powell United States Democratic Party Vice Presidential Nominees Calhoun • Van Buren • R Johnson • Dallas • Butler • King • Breckinridge • H Johnson/Lane(SD), Pendleton • Blair • Brown • Hendricks • English • Hendricks • Thurman • Stevenson • Sewall • Stevenson • Davis • Kern • Marshall • Roosevelt • Bryan • Robinson • Garner • Wallace • Truman • Barkley • Sparkman • Kefauver • L Johnson • Humphrey • Muskie • Eagleton/Shriver • Mondale • Ferraro • Bentsen • Gore • Lieberman • Edwards
