Presidents of the United States of America
15 - James Buchanan
Personal Statistics:
Birth Date: April 23, 1791
Birthplace: Log cabin at Cove Gap, near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Father: James Buchanan Sr. (c. 1761-1821)
Mother: Elizabeth Speer (1767-1833)
Height at Prime: Just over 6 feet
Physical Description: Fair complexion, massive forehead, large blue eyes, head was cocked to the left
Religion: Presbyterian
Wife: Was never married (only bachelor president)
Death Date: June 1, 1868
Place of Death: Wheatland estate, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Cause of Death: Pneumonia and inflammation of the lining of the heart
Final Words: “Oh Lord God Almighty, as Thou wilt.â€
Burial Place: Woodward Hill Cemetery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Professional Statistics:
Served in army during the War of 1812 (1814)
Member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1815-1816)
U.S. Representative (1821-1831)
U.S. Minister to Russia (1832-1833)
U.S. Senator (1834-1845)
Secretary of State (1845-1849)
Minister to Great Britain (1853-1856)
15th President of the United States (1857-1861)
Political Party: Democrat
His Vice President: John Cabell Breckinridge (1857-1861)
Events During Presidency:
The Kansas Question (Dred Scott Decision)
Panic of 1857
Minnesota admitted to the Union (1858)
Oregon admitted to the Union (1859)
Kansas admitted to the Union (1861)
Secession prepared by the Southern states