James Buchanan

President of the United States from 1857 to 1861

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Lived 1791–1868, aged 77United States

United States PoliticiansPolitician

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Era
1791–1868
Aged 77

Summary

Updated 2026-05-29

Buchanan was the 15th U.S. president during the run-up to the Civil War, a period when his hands-off approach to slavery and states' rights made him a lightning rod for blame. Before that, he logged time as secretary of state and congressman from Pennsylvania.

Biography

About

James Buchanan Jr. was the 15th president of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. He also served as the 17th United States secretary of state from 1845 to 1849 and represented Pennsylvania in both houses of the U.S. Congress. Buchanan was an advocate for states' rights, particularly regarding slavery, and argued for limiting the role of the federal government preceding the American Civil War.

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