Gourt > Society > History > By Region > North America > United States > Presidents > Buchanan, James
James Buchanan (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868) was the 15th president of the United States (1857–1861). He was the only bachelor president and the only resident of Pennsylvania to hold the office of President. He has been criticized for failing to prevent the country from sliding into the American Civil War. On Buchanan's final day as president, he remarked to the incoming Abraham Lincoln, "If you are as happy entering the presidency as I am in leaving it, then you are truly a happy man."
Biography and early career
Buchanan was a Representative and a Senator from Pennsylvania. He was born in a log cabin at Cove Gap, near Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 1791, to James Buchanan and Elizabeth Spear as the second of ten children (two of whom did not survive past infancy). The Buchanan family are also direct descendents of James I, King of Scotland. He moved to Mercersburg with his parents in 1799, where he was privately tutored. He later attended the village academy and was graduated from Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In 1809, he moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The same year he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1812 and practiced in Lancaster. He was one of the first volunteers in the War of 1812 and served in the defense of Baltimore, Maryland. He was a Federalist Party member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1814 to 1815.
Political career
He was elected to the Seventeenth and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1821 - March 3, 1831). He was chairman of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary (Twenty-first Congress). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1830. Buchanan served as one of the managers appointed by the House of Representatives in 1830 to conduct the impeachment proceedings against James H. Peck, judge of the United States District Court for the District of Missouri. Buchanan served as minister to Russia from 1832 to 1834. More on [ James Buchanan ]
Buchanan, James :: Presidents
Breckinridge, John Cabell :: Vice Presidents
i played some wikipedia shenanigans on the caption for this portrait of pres. james buchanan. i've since fixed it. http://twitpic.com/x4ci9
traynor3 (traynor) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:39:56 -0000
i played some wikipedia shenanigans on the caption for this portrait of pres. james buchanan. i've since fixed it. http://twitpic.com/x4ci9
#reading Personal Demons by James Buchanan and so far it is awesome
caitmiller (Cait Miller) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:23:23 -0000
#reading Personal Demons by James Buchanan and so far it is awesome
I'm not sure that's a good methodology. Couldn't the same be applied to Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan...?
jaycost (Jay Cost) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:08:17 -0000
I'm not sure that's a good methodology. Couldn't the same be applied to Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan...?
The Failed Presidency of James Buchanan http://historyofdemocraticparty.blogspot.com/2010/01/failed-presidency-of-james-buchanan.html
pippoproducts (Joseph Conigliaro) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:07:12 -0000
The Failed Presidency of James Buchanan http://historyofdemocraticparty.blogspot.com/2010/01/failed-presidency-of-james-buchanan.html
James Buchanan was the only bachelor president. #omgfacts im related 2 him..and he was apparently a stupid man LOL
mrz_trapmuzik (Carlin) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:58:37 -0000
James Buchanan was the only bachelor president. #omgfacts im related 2 him..and he was apparently a stupid man LOL
RT @WTHFacts: ✈ Only U.S President to remain a bachelor: James Buchanan. #wthfacts
Karan_anand (Karan Anand) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:43:29 -0000
RT @WTHFacts: ✈ Only U.S President to remain a bachelor: James Buchanan. #wthfacts
AmericanPresident.org: James Buchanan - Fact file and comprehensive biographical sketch in addition to quotations, links, and resources for teachers. From the Miller Center on Public Affairs.
Meta Description: [ In-depth essays created by the University of Virginia on James Buchanan’s life and administration. ]
Buchanan's Birthplace State Park - Provides basic information about this 18.5-acre park nestled in a gap of the Tuscarora Mountain in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Also includes presidential trivia.
James Buchanan - Fast and fun facts on the 15th President, who was from Lancaster County, Pa. Also includes links to information on Harriet Lane.
Meta Description: [ Search the power of About's network of topics ]
James Buchanan - Short biography from the official White House site.
Meta Description: [ Biography of James Buchanan, the fifteenth President of the United States (1857-1861). ]
James Buchanan - Provides information about and biography of American President James Buchanan.
Meta Description: [ James Buchanan (April 23, 1791 - June 1 , 1868) was the 15th ( 857 - 1861) President of the United States . He was the only President never to marry, and the only citizen of Pennsylvania to hold that office. He has been criticized for failing to take any positive action in order to attempt to pre... ]
James Buchanan Foundation - Introduces Wheatland, Buchanan's rural Lancaster County home. Also includes biographical sketches of the President and his niece Harriet Lane, who fulfilled the role of first lady during his administration.
Meta Description: [ Wheatland - The Lancaster County, PA Estate of President James Buchanan. Learn about James Buchanan and Harriet Lane. Gather research, visit, tour, and educate yourself. ]
James Buchanan's Obituary - Reproduced from page 5 of The New York Times, June 2, 1868.
James Buchanan: Inaugural Address - Complete text of the speech given Wednesday, March 4, 1857, along with a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the inauguration.
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