15. BUCHANAN

                                                  Library of Congress

  1. NAME – James Buchanan
  2. NICKNAME(S) – Ten Cent Jimmy  /  The Batchelor President
  3. BIRTH / DEATH – April 23, 1791  Mercersburg, Pa.  /  1868  Lancaster, Pa.
  4. FATHER – storekeeper, real estate investor
  5. MOTHER – housewife
  6. COLLEGE – Dickinson College (age 16-18)
  7. WIFE – none
  8. KIDS – none
  9. PETS – Newfoundland (Lara), eagle, toy terrier (Punch), elephant
  10. RELIGION – Presbyterian
  11. ANCESTRY – Scotch-Irish
  12. AGE – 65

FIRSTS:

MA AND PA:

BACKGROUND:

–  Congressman 1821-30

–  Minister to Russia  1831

–  Senator  1834-45

–  Minister to Great Britain  1853-56

–  President 1857-61

FIRST LADY:  He was the only bachelor President.  He had been engaged to the daughter of Pennsylvania’s first millionaire.  He forced her to break it off and soon after, she committed suicide.  His niece Harriet Lane hosted in the White House.  She was the first to be called “First Lady”.

RETIREMENT:  He wrote a book entitled Mr. Buchanan on the Eve of the Rebellion.

TRIVIA:

–  favorite food –  cabbage

–  last President born in the 18th Century