Democratic-RepublicanPresident · Pennsylvania
James Buchanan"Old Buck"
1857 first electedLeft office 18614 years servedBorn 1791 in Cove Gap, PennsylvaniaDied 1868
Biography
James Buchanan was born April 23, 1791. He built a long and accomplished career in public service before the presidency, serving as a U.S. Representative, Minister to Russia and later Great Britain, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, and Secretary of State under President Polk. He won the presidency in 1856, and his single term (1857–1861) was consumed by the deepening national crisis over slavery, as he largely sided with Southern interests and took a passive approach as several Southern states began seceding from the Union in the months following Lincoln's election in late 1860. He left office just weeks before the Civil War began, and is widely ranked by historians as one of the least effective presidents for his failure to address or prevent the coming conflict.
Additional Info
Vice President
John C. Breckinridge
Prior Offices
17th United States Secretary of State, United States Senator from Pennsylvania, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
Fun Fact
Buchanan remains the only president in U.S. history never to marry, and his niece, Harriet Lane, served as his official White House hostess in the role typically filled by a First Lady — some historians have also researched a long, deeply affectionate relationship he had with fellow politician William Rufus King, leading to ongoing historical debate about Buchanan's personal life.
Election History
No election records found in the database yet.