1834 James Buchanan is elected to the U.S. Senate.

1845 President Polk appoints James Buchanan as Secretary of State.

1856 Buchanan is elected President.

1857 Dread Scott, a slave, sues owner for freedom.

1859 John Brown’s raid fails.

1860 Abraham Lincoln is elected President. South Carolina secedes from the Union.

1868 James Buchanan dies.

James Buchanan
1857 - 1861
Fifthteenth President

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

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

One million dollars was spent on the combined campaigns of Buchanan and Fremont. This was the first time a million dollars was spent on a presidential election. 

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

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

James was the first President born in Pennsylvania.

President Buchanan was a Democrat.

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

James Buchanan was the only President born in Pennsylvania.

James was a Presbyterian.

Buchannan served in the War of 1812.

Queen Victoria sent greetings to Buchanan over the first Atlantic cable.

James Buchanan.,
Library of Congress.

President Buchanan only served one term.

When the Prince of Wales visited the White House, he brought a lot people with him.. Buchanan was a gracious host. The Prince of Wales visited the White House used Buchanan’s room and Buchanan slept on the couch.

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.

Queen Victoria sent greetings to Buchanan over the first Atlantic cable.

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

PresidentBuchanan owned one of the biggist 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.

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

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."

James Buchanan died on June 1, 1868 in Lancaster, Penn. He was 77 years and 39 days old.

Buchanan's Grave Site in Woodward Hill Cemetery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Quotes from James Buchanan:

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

Quick Facts

15th President 1857-1861

Party: Democratic

Born: Cove Gap, Penn., April 23, 1791

Died: Lancaster, Penn., June 1,1868 age 77

References:

• The Presidents of the United States. 22 September 2004
• Davis, Gibbs and Ilus. David A. Johnson. Wackiest White House Pets. New York: Scholastic Press, October 2004
• James, Barber and Amy Pastan. Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladies. New York: DK Publishing, 2002
• Harnsberger, Caroline Thomas. Treasury of Presidential Quotations. Chicago: Follett Publishing Company, 1964
• Kane, Joseph Natan. Facts about the Presidents from Washington to Johnson. New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1964.
• National Park Service Web Site on Presidential Trivia: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pres/trivia.htm.

Additional Sources:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents
http://www.historyplace.com/specials/portraits/presidents/index.html
www.freep.com
http://www.umkc.edu/imc/prestriv.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/4062/trivia.html
http://www.freep.com/news/inaug/trivia/index.htm
http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/

If you have comments or corrections, please send them to jim@anewadventure.org.