James Buchanan

15th president of the United States of America

Dates of presidency 1857-1861

By: Jacob DeBerry

James Buchanan was the 15th president. He was born in Cove

Gap, Pennsylvania April 23 1791. As a child James worked in

his father’s store. He learned to be just like his dad by not letting

anyone get more merchandise than they bought. His mother

taught him how to read. James went to Dickinson College in

Carlisle, Pennsylvania. James and his classmates were more

interested in goofing off than studying. James got into a lot of

trouble but eventually James finished college in 1809. James was

ready to choose a career. His mother wanted him to be a church

minister; however his father thought he would be a good lawyer.

After many years of doing many government jobs, he became our

15th president in 1857.James Buchanan was never married so he

asked his niece Harriet Lane to serve as First Lady. He was

known as one of our most least popular presidents. The country

was at war with each other about slavery. James Buchanan

didn’t do anything to help solve the arguments. He died at the

age of 77 in 1868.

State and Country of Presidency:

The Dred Scott decision was decided two days after James

Buchanan became president. This case considered slaves as a

piece of property. This angered people in the North and the

South were ok with the decision.

John Brown wanted to help the slaves by giving them some of

the weapons he was going to steal from Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

President Buchanan sent the U.S. marines in to stop him. He

was hung for what he did. People in the North thought he was a

hero, while the people in the South thought he was a mad man.

President Buchanan decided not to make any decisions at all

because he would make one group of people or another mad at

him.

Some good things that happened during his time of presidency

was the Pony Express and transatlantic telegraph cable. He

didn’t have much to do with these accomplishments.

Timeline:

1791: Born in Pennsylvania.

1809: Graduated Dickinson College.

1812: War of 1812.

1814: Buchanan started a political career.

1821-1832: He was appointed as an envoy to Russia, a post in

which Buchanan further proved his aptitude as a diplomat.

1834: He became a US Senator.

1845: He resigned to serve as secretary of state.

1856: James ran for president.

1857: He became our 15th president.

1861: He retired from his term of presidency to his estate in

Pennsylvania.

1868: James Buchanan died.