President james buchanan biography 15th president

For the Nobel Prize-winning economist, see James M. Buchanan.

James Buchanan Jr. (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868) was an Americanpolitician who served as the 15th president of the United States.

He was the only president not to have married. His niece, Harriet Lane, stood in as First Lady. He was an experienced politician, and became president in 1857.

James buchanan

His stances on slavery, and actions before the Civil War broke out, have been criticised by scholars.

In 1860, Buchanan announced that he would not be taking part in the election & supported Abraham Lincoln who eventually became president-elect just a week after his announcement in the 1860 election.

Historiansrank Buchanan as one of the worst presidents in U.S. history.

Early life

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James Buchanan was born on April 23, 1791 in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, into a prosperous merchant family.^[1] He had four sisters and three brothers, and studied at the Old Stone Academy befo