James was born in Cove Gap, Penn. on April 15, 1791.

He was one of six Presidents born in a log cabin.

Buchanan, the only bachelor president, he almost married in 1819. His fiancee, Anne Caroline Coleman, broke off the engagement she died a week later, probably by suicide. Buchanan maintained an ironclad silence about the relationship throughout the rest of his life.

He was six feet tall.

His niece Harriet Lane Johnson served as his "First Lady" at social functions in the White House.

He served four terms in the Senate before he became President.

James Buchanan was one of three Presidents who didn't have any children.

One of his favorite vegetables was cabbage.

James was the first President born in Pennsylvania and the only President born in Pennsylvania.

In 1831 he was appointed to be Minister to Russia by President Jackson.

President Buchanan was a Democrat.

James Buchanan's Vice President, John Breckenridge (1857-1861). Breckenridge later served in the Confederate Army.

Buchanan traveled more outside of the United States than he did in the United States. Besides a trip to Kentucky most of his travel was along the eastern seashore from Boston to Virginia.

James was a Presbyterian.

Buchanan served in the War of 1812.

James Buchanan., Library of Congress.

James Buchanan was the first to have his inauguration photographed.

In 1848 Buchanan bout Wheatland, a country estate located on the outskirts of Lancaster. PA. He was later called "Sage of Heartland" mush like Henry Clay was called the "Sage of Ashland. Buchanan enjoyed living there. He often had guest and parties. At the parties he would sometimes serve "Old J. B. Whiskey." His guest thought it was named after James Buchanan (B. J.) but it wasn't.

In 1855, when he ran for President he didn't give any speeches during the campaign. (Presidential Candidates didn't start traveling and campaigning until after the Civil War.) He did send out numerous letters to people.

At his inauguration he wore a black suit made of French cloth. It was somewhat plain on the outside. However, on the inside it had a design of 21 stars representing the 31 one states at that time. He also wore a satin flowered vest.

There was a delay the parade to the Congressional building. They realized that the out going president, President Pierce the planning committee had forgotten him. The had to go back and get him.

He said the object of his administration was to stop the agitation of slavery by the north.

James Buchanan knew a lot about being president. He had had contact with every president from James Monroe to Franklin Pierce. He had served as a congress man, senator, cabinet officer, ambassador, and party leader before becoming president.

He has been ranked as the least effective president on several list created by historians.

President Buchanan only served one term.

When the Prince of Wales visited the White House, he brought so many people with him that Buchanan had to sleep in the hall.

James Buchanan suffered from an eye disorder that caused him to cock his head to the left and close an eye.

He liked to give sauerkraut and mashed potato parties.

Buchanan got on the nerves of some of the cabinet members so they set up a tour of the the South to get him out of town.

John Browns raid took place on October 17, 1859. (More information on the raid.) This furthered the split between the pro and anti slavery states.

In 1860, Buchanan vetoed the Homestead Act. It would have put land west on sale for 25 cents per acre. This upset the western states who wanted to expand the United States and this would bring more "free" states into the Union. The South was against the bill and the north for it. Some believe that this veto was the reason that Lincoln was elected in 1861,

Queen Victoria sent greetings to Buchanan over the first Atlantic cable. It was a first message sent on the cable and a first cable to a U.S. President and Queen Victoria.

Americans were singing a new tune called Jingle Bells during his tenure.

President Buchanan owned one of the biggest dogs ever to live in the White House. He had a Newfoundland named Lara. He was also sent a herd of elephants which he gave to the zoo.

There were rumors that Buchanan supported the secessionists. Some people called him a traitor. This was not true.

1861 Buchanan sent a message to Congees blaming the blame for the Southern States wanting to withdraw from the union on the antislavery agitators.

Southern Senators wanted Buchanan to promise he would withdraw the troops from Fort Sumter of pledge to not send any aid to the fort. Buchanan did not agree to it.

When President Buchanan left the White House he left a note for his successor, Abe Lincoln. "My dear sir, if you are as happy on entering the White House as I on leaving, you are a happy man indeed." (Some say he said it to Lincoln.)

He and Lincoln drove together to Lincoln's inauguration at the capitol.

James Buchanan died on June 1, 1868 at approximately 8:30 a.m. in Lancaster, Penn. He was 77 years and 39 days old. It was estimated that over 20,00 people attended his funeral.

Quotes from James Buchanan:

Buchanan did not like being Secretary of State when he left the job he said: “I would for any consideration return to the State Department.”

When discussing Fort Sumter and South Carolina taking the fort, Buchanan stated: "The Union must and shall be preserved by all Constitutional means.?

"The ballot box is the surest arbiter of disputes among freemen." Fourth Message to Congress, Dec. 3, 1860

Henry Clay once said about then Senator Buchanan who use to write letters rather than debate: "Oh damn him, he deserves it. He writes letters."

This is a quote about James Buchanan made by a friend of his, Ben Parley Poore "Never did a wily politician more industriously plot and plan to secure a nomination than Mr. Buchanan did, in his still hunt for the Presidency."

"By God sir, I made James Buchanan, and by God I will unmake him!" Stephen Douglas, 1857

 

President James Buchanan: A Biography was used as one of the resources for this page. (You can read reviews of this book by clicking on the image or title.)