Fun Trivia : Buchanan, James

Structure Sub-topic of: U.S. Presidents Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 25 general entries.

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Buchanan, James

How many brothers and sisters did James Buchanan have?

James Buchanan


7. Buchanan had four sisters and three brothers.



Who was the woman Buchanan was engaged to in 1819 but, for reasons unknown, she suddenly broke it off?

James Buchanan


Anne Coleman. Reports say that Buchanan and Coleman quarreled and she broke off the engagement. She went to Philadelphia to visit relatives, where she died on December 9, 1819. Elizabeth Speer was Buchanan's mother, Harriett Lane was Buchanan's niece (who served as White House hostess during his administration) and Jane Appleton was the wife of Franklin Pierce.



During which war did Buchanan see military action?

James Buchanan


War of 1812. Buchanan joined a volunteer regiment of dragoons that marched to Baltimore as part of Major Charles Ridgely's Third Calvary. When the British withdrew from Baltimore, he was discharged.



When Buchanan was elected to the US House of Representatives for the first time, to which political party did he belong?

James Buchanan


Federalist. Buchanan represented Lancaster, York and and Dauphin counties in the House. When the Federalist party ceased to exist, he associated himself with the Jacksonian Democratic party.



Buchanan served as secretary of state under which president?

James Buchanan


James Polk. Buchanan served from 1845-1849. He was the only secretary of state during Polk's administration.



Buchanan's home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was known as what?

James Buchanan


Wheatland. Sherwood Forest was the home of John Tyler. Kinderhook was the home of Martin Van Buren and Spiegel Grove was the home of Rutherford B. Hayes.



To what country did Buchanan serve as foreign minister (ambassador) from 1853-1856?

James Buchanan


Great Britain. Buchanan, along with the US ministers to Spain and France, drew up the Ostend Manifesto, which called for US acquisition of Cuba.



Where was the Democratic National Convention, that nominated Buchanan for president in 1856, held?

James Buchanan


Cincinnati. The Republicans held their 1856 convention in Philadelphia and nominated John C. Fremont. The American Party held their convention that year in New York City and nominated former president Millard Fillmore. The Whigs held their 1856 convention in Baltimore and also nominated Fillmore.



Buchanan's vice-president, John C. Breckinridge, was born in what state?

James Buchanan


Kentucky. Breckinridge was born in 1821. Breckinridge was only 36 when he was sworn in as vice-president.



The failure of which financial institution caused the Panic of 1857?

James Buchanan


Ohio Life Insurance Co.. The Ohio Life Insurance Co went under in August 1857, causing an economic depression that lasted till the start of the Civil War.



How many southern states seceded from the US while Buchanan was president?

James Buchanan


7. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas all seceded from the union before Lincoln took office.



James Buchanan died while who was president?

James Buchanan


Andrew Johnson. Buchanan died on June 1, 1868 at Wheatland, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.



What number president was James Buchanan?

James Buchanan


15th. Buchanan was born in Pennsylvania on April 23, 1791.



Who was Buchanan's vice president?

James Buchanan


John Breckinridge. During the 4-way race for president in 1860, Breckinridge was the candidate of the southern Democrats on a pro-slavery, pro-Union platform, polling 18% of the popular vote.



In what year did Buchanan die?

James Buchanan


1868. James Buchanan was the only unwed president in office.



What college did Buchanan graduate from in 1809?

James Buchanan


Dickinson College. Buchanan graduated with a degree in law.



What war did Buchanan serve in?

James Buchanan


War of 1812. The War of 1812 was a war that pitted the United States against Great Britain.



After the war, what office did Buchanan hold?

James Buchanan


State Legislator. He served as Pennsylvania state legislator from 1814-1816.



What office did Buchanan hold between 1821-1831?

James Buchanan


U.S. Representative. Initially a Federalist, Buchanan switched to the Democratic Party after the Federalist Party dissolved in the 1820's.



From 1832-1833, what country was Buchanan a U.S. minister for?

James Buchanan


Russia. Buchanan served as minister to Great Britain in 1853. Buchanan along with the U.S. ministers to France and Spain formulated the Ostend Manifesto, which stated that the U.S. should try to purchase the island of Cuba from Spain but also suggested that the U.S. might, under certain circumstances, be justified in using force to "wrest" the island away from Spain.



During what years did Buchanan serve as a U.S. senator?

James Buchanan


1834-1845. Buchanan supported the Union during the Civil War.



What President appointed Buchanan secretary of state?

James Buchanan


Polk. In 1845, Polk appointed him this position which he held for 4 years. Polk was our 11th president.