James Buchanan was born into a prosperous Pennsylvania
family in 1791. He studied at Dickinson College, and as a young man
he practiced law. Buchanan entered political life at a young age.
He served 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, 10 years in the
Senate, as minister to both Russia and Great Britain, and was Secretary
of State under President Polk. He was elected President in 1856 and
served one term. As President Buchanan devoted much of his energy
to resolving the growing crisis between the North and the South.
Buchanan stressed moderation on both sides, but his attempts to prevent
conflict were futile. He did not seek a second term, and after the
election of 1860 the South seceeded from the Union setting in motion the
events that would lead to the Civil War. One of Buchanan's final
acts as President was to attempt to reinforce the Union garrison at Fort
Sumter, South Carolina. The South responded to his refusal to abandon
the fort by attacking the fort and beginning the war. In 1861 Buchanan
retired to his home is Pennsylvania where he died in 1868.
Buchanan's Birthplace State Park - Official website of Buchanan's birthplace, which is located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania and is today a state park.
Wheatland Mansion - Website of the
country home of James Buchanan.