James BuchananBirth Chart

James Buchanan Jr. was an American lawyer and politician who served as President of the United States from 1857 to 1861. From Pennsylvania, he rose to prominence as a legislator—serving long terms in the House and the Senate—and as a diplomat, holding important posts abroad and in the cabinet, including Secretary of State and ambassador to the United Kingdom. His national career unfolded amid growing polarization over slavery; as president he supported decisions and policies that favored pro‑slavery interests, such as defending the jurisdiction in the Dred Scott case and backing the Lecompton constitution for Kansas, positions that deepened splits within the Democratic Party. Buchanan honored his pledge to serve only one term and witnessed, in the final months of his administration, the secession of Southern states that would lead to the Civil War. Modern historians criticize his conduct during the transition period—considered weak or insufficient to prevent the conflict—and many rank him among the worst U.S. presidents. Never married, he spent his final years trying to preserve his reputation; he died in 1868 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.