James Buchanan

James Buchanan (1791–1868) was the 15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. Born in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, he trained as a lawyer and entered public life as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and later the U.S. Senate. Buchanan held major diplomatic and cabinet posts, including U.S. minister to Russia and to the United Kingdom, and served as Secretary of State under President James K. Polk. His public reputation rests largely on political leadership, speeches, and official writings rather than literary work. He died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.