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James Buchanan was the 15th president of the United States. James Buchanan was born to a merchant, farmer, and businessperson, James Buchanan, Sr., and his wife Elizabeth in 1791 in Pennsylvania. James went to Old Stone Academy and later joined Dickson Collage where he was always on the wrong side of the law. In 1809, he moved to Lancaster having graduated with honors. In Lancaster he studied law and three years later, he got an admission to the bar. James Buchanan never married but was initially engaged to Ann Caroline Coleman. 

Buchanan the Politician

Buchanan was elected to the House of Representatives under the Federalist Party from 1814 to 1816. He was later elected to Congress in 1821 where he served for ten years. During his time in the Congress, he was appointed as the chairman of the house committee on judiciary. In 1834 he was elected to the Senate where he served up to 1845 when he resigned to take up the position of the Secretary of state during the presidency of James Polk. During his time as the Secretary of State, he was very instrumental in the establishment of Oregon Treaty of 1846. In fact, Buchanan became the first Secretary of state to ascend to the presidency.

In 1856, Buchanan was selected by the Democrats as their presidential flag bearer, subsequently winning the main election. His inauguration to office was on March 4, 1857. During his inauguration, he made it clear that he will be a first term president because he felt he was too old to serve another term. He also referred the territorial matter to the Supreme Court for a speedy resolution. Buchanan kept his promise and was in office for only one term handing over power on March 4, 1861.