Fun Presidential Facts – James Buchanan

Here are some quick facts, opinions, quotes and other information on President James Buchanan:

Personal Information on James Buchanan:

• Fifteenth President (1857-1861)

• Birthday: April 23, 1791 (Saturday)
• Birthplace: Cove Gap, Pennsylvania
• Birthplace Website: President James Buchanan’s Birthplace
• Zodiac Sign: Taurus

• Date of Death: June 1, 1868 (Monday)
• Place of Death: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Place of Burial: Woodward Hill Cemetery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Burial Website: President James Buchanan’s Grave
• Cause of Death: Respiratory failure, gout
• Age: 77 years old
• Length of Retirement: 2646 days

Interesting James Buchanan facts:

1. James Buchanan wanted to be President so bad. It seemed like opportunity after opportunity passed him by. When he was finally elected he was the oldest President ever elected. He was almost sixty-six years old. It would take almost 124 years before Ronald Reagan would break the record. Reagan was almost seventy years old when he was inaugurated. Donald Trump will surpass Reagan because he will actually be seventy years old. In fact, Trump will be about five months shy of his seventy-first birthday.
2. James Buchanan is not the only man to be inaugurated as a bachelor (never been married before). Buchanan is the only President to remain unmarried his whole life, though. Grover Cleveland was also a bachelor when he was sworn in, but he got married while he was in the White House. Four other Presidents were widowers, and would not remarry, when they were inaugurated: Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, and Chester Arthur. Teddy Roosevelt had been widowed before he arrived at the White House, but he was already remarried when he was inaugurated. John Tyler, Benjamin Harrison and Woodrow Wilson would all have their wives die (in the White House) while they were serving as President. All of them would remarry. Tyler and Wilson would remarry while they were serving as Presidents. Four other Presidents outlived their wives, but those wives all died after they left office. Those four Presidents were: John Adams, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce and Herbert Hoover.
3. According to most sources, James Buchanan was one of seven Presidents born in a log cabin. The other Presidents who are believed to have been born in a log cabin are: Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S Grant, and James Garfield.

My favorite James Buchanan Quotes:

Whatever the result may be, I shall carry to my grave the consciousness that I at least meant well for my country.

The ballot box is the surest arbiter of disputes among free men.

What is right and what is practicable are two different things.

If you are as happy in entering the White House as I shall feel on returning to Wheatland, you are a happy man indeed.

I like the sound of democracy.

James Buchanan blogs (click the title to go to that page):

James Buchanan page on Presidential Crossroads (click “James Buchanan” below):

James Buchanan

James Buchanan Blogs:

The Bachelor President

Buchanan’s Eye Problem

Ten Least Popular Presidents

What similiar trait do I have with Presidents Polk through Hayes

Personal thoughts on James Buchanan:

Strengths:

Drive to become President, Government experience

Weaknesses:

Would not react to crisis, Lack of leadership

Presidential Greatness Scale (1-poor to 5-great): 1

Comments:

There is not much to say about this one. For someone who was a strict Constitutionalist, he seemed to interfere with the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision. One of the basic tenets of the Constitution is a separation of powers between the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches. He also let seven states (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas) secede from the Union because he didn’t believe he had the power to stop them. It basically pushed the problem on to Lincoln, who then had four more states secede (Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina). I’m not a real big fan of Presidents who seem to refuse to lead, no matter what the excuse is.

Favorite James Buchanan book:

Worst President Ever – James Buchanan. The Potus Rating Game, and the Legacy of the Least of the Lesser Presidents by Robert Strauss

Favorite James Buchanan story:

The Dread Scott Supreme Court decision that was announced a few days after he was sworn it. He may have influenced its verdict.

Most memorable James Buchanan memory:

Visiting Wheatland, his home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Favorite James Buchanan possession (see picture at the top):

A Wheatland (James Buchanan’s Home) first day cover postcard.