James Buchanan
- Born:
- April 23, 1791, Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, USA
- Died:
- June 1, 1868, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Politician, Diplomat
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from Dickinson College in 1809.
- Studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1812.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1814-1816).
- Served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1821-1831).
- U.S. Minister to Russia (1832-1833).
- U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania (1834-1845).
- Secretary of State under President James K. Polk (1845-1849).
- U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom (1853-1856).
- 15th President of the United States (1857-1861). The James Buchanan biography presidency facts often centers around the events leading up to the Civil War.
Presidency (1857-1861)
- Presided over a nation deeply divided over slavery.
- Supported the Lecompton Constitution in Kansas, which would have admitted Kansas as a slave state.
- Faced growing sectional tensions and the secession of several Southern states following the election of Abraham Lincoln.
- Oversaw the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision.
Legacy and Impact
James Buchanan's presidency is widely considered to be a failure due to his inability to prevent the secession of Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War. His actions and inactions contributed to the escalation of tensions and the eventual fracturing of the Union. His legacy remains controversial.