Person Information

Biography

James Buchanan was born April 23, 1791, in Pennsylvania. He attended school and graduated from Dickinson College in 1809. He went on to study law and enter politics. Buchanan served in state politics and then the United State House of Representatives from 1821-1831. He was Minister to Russia in 1832, Pennsylvania State Senator, and then Secretary of State for President Polk, 1845-1849. Buchanan was elected President of the United States in 1856 during a particularly tumultuous period in American politics. He was accused along with the Supreme Court, by William Seward, of conspiracy in the Dred Scott v. Sanford decision. Buchanan is the only U.S. President to never marry. His niece, Harriet Lane, served as his hostess during his presidency. Buchanan died in his Pennsylvania home on June 1, 1868.

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Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 

James Buchanan was born April 23, 1791, in Pennsylvania. He attended school and graduated from Dickinson College in 1809. He went on to study law and enter politics. Buchanan served in state politics and then the United State House of Representatives from 1821-1831. He was Minister to Russia in 1832, Pennsylvania State Senator, and then Secretary of State for President Polk, 1845-1849. Buchanan was elected President of the United States in 1856 during a particularly tumultuous period in American politics. He was accused along with the Supreme Court, by William Seward, of conspiracy in the Dred Scott v. Sanford decision. Buchanan is the only U.S. President to never marry. His niece, Harriet Lane, served as his hostess during his presidency. Buchanan died in his Pennsylvania home on June 1, 1868.

Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/james-buchanan
Title of Webpage: 
James Buchanan Fifteenth President of the United States
Website Viewing Date: 
Monday, February 24, 2014 - 16:30
Website's Last Modified Date: 
Monday, February 24, 2014 - 16:30
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Citation Type: 
Journal Article
Journal or Newspaper Title: 
The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Robert E. Carlson
Article Title: 
“James Buchanan and Public Office: An Appraisal”
Year: 
1957
Volume: 
81
Issue: 
3
Start Page: 
255
End Page: 
279
Citation Notes: 
http://www.jstor.org/stable/20088985. Accessed 17 Oct. 2022.
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://millercenter.org/president/buchanan
Website Viewing Date: 
Monday, February 24, 2014 - 16:30
Website Last Modified Date: 
Monday, February 24, 2014 - 16:30
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://millercenter.org/president/buchanan
Website Viewing Date: 
Monday, February 24, 2014 - 16:30
Website Last Modified Date: 
Monday, February 24, 2014 - 16:30