Read
a letter from President Buchanan
Portrait Gallery
Did You Know?
• He was the only president never to be married.
• During his term, the John Brown raid occurred on Harpers Ferry.
• During his term, the Lincoln-Douglas debates were being held in Illinois.
• During his term, the Confederate States of America declared their independence.
More...
Key Events in the Administration
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James Buchanan
(April 23, 1791 - June 1, 1868)
Life Facts
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Personal:
• First Lady: Harriet Lane, Niece
• Wife's Maiden Name: None None
• Number of Children: None
• Education Level: College
• School Attended: Dickinson College
• Religion: Presbyterian
• Profession: Military, Lawyer
• Military Service: No official rank
Public Service:
• Dates of Presidency: 3/4/1857 - 3/3/1861
• Presidency Number: 15
• Number of Terms: 1
• Why Presidency Ended: Not nominated
• Party: Democratic
• His Vice President(s): John C. Breckinridge
• Cabinet Service: Secretary of State (James K. Polk, 1845-1849)
• Senator: Pennsylvania (1834-1845)
• House of Representatives: Pennsylvania (1821-1831)
• State Legislative Service: PA (1814-1815)
• Other Offices: Minister to Russia; Minister to Great Britain
Methodology and Resources
Presidential Places
Birthplace:
Buchanan Historic Site
Gravesite: Woodward Hill Cemetery
Other Sites: Wheatland
Reference Material
Bibliography
Inaugural Address
Related Links
C-SPAN in the Classroom
Papers: Pennsylvania Historical Society - Philadelphia, PA, 215-732-6200
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Watch American
Presidents Programs from
C-SPAN's Archives
• Programming includes:
• James Buchanan Life Portrait: From Wheatland - Lancaster, PA
Guests included: Karl Reisner, history teacher, Mercersberg Academy and board member, Mercersberg Historical Society; Richard Keller, professor emeritus, Millersville University; Steve Trapnell, tour coordinator, Wheatland; and Kathy Bratton, executive director, Wheatland Watch | Order Videotape
• Karl Reisner on Buchanan’s childhood home in Mercersburg, PA Watch
• Edna Medford on political climate during Buchanan administration Watch
• Don Ritchie on Buchanan’s Senate and Secretary of State careers Watch
• Micheal Birkner and Fred Binder on Buchanan’s life and influence on American foreign policy Watch
• Reenactment of Abraham Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech Watch
• Mary Panzer, The National Portrait Gallery, on presidential photography in the 19th century Watch
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