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James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States (1817–1825) and the last President from the Founding Fathers. On New Year’s Day, 1825, at the last of his annual White House...
- Early Years. James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Spence Monroe (1727-74), a farmer and carpenter, and Elizabeth Jones Monroe (1730-74).
- The Virginia Politician. Following his military service, Monroe embarked on a career in politics. In 1782, he became a delegate in the Virginia Assembly and the following year was chosen as a Virginia representative to the Congress of the Confederation, America’s governing body from 1781 to 1789.
- A Leader at Home and Abroad. In 1794, President George Washington (1732-99) appointed Monroe as minister to France, in an effort to help improve relations with that nation.
- The 'Era of Good Feelings' In 1816, Monroe ran for president again, as a Democratic-Republican, and this time handily defeated Federalist candidate Rufus King (1755-1827).
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- In 1776, Monroe left his studies at William & Mary to enlist in the 3rd Virginia Regiment. During the Revolutionary War, he served under General Washington, fought in several major battles in the northeast, was wounded at the Battle of Trenton — from which he carried shrapnel in his shoulder for the rest of his life — and wintered at Valley Forge, eventually reaching the rank of Colonel in the Virginia service.
- Monroe moved to Albemarle County, Virginia to be near his friend and mentor, Jefferson. His farm Highland actually shared a border with Jefferson’s Monticello.
- Monroe and his wife, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, had a particularly close relationship. Their warm family life is illustrated by his wife and two daughters, Eliza and Maria, accompanying Monroe on nearly all his official travel, including diplomatic assignments in France and Great Britain.
- Monroe had a strong interest in the American west and its importance to the growing United States. Not widely known is his significant role in the negotiation of the Louisiana Purchase for the Jefferson administration.
James Monroe (/ m ə n ˈ r oʊ / mən-ROH; April 28, 1758 – July 4, 1831) was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825, a member of the Democratic-Republican Party.
- Early Revolutionary. James Monroe was born in 1758 to prosperous Virginia planters. His parents died when he was a teenager, leaving him part of the family farm.
- High Political Office. In 1787, Monroe began serving in the Virginia assembly and was chosen the following year as a delegate to the Virginia convention considering ratification of the new U.S. Constitution.
- Easy Race to the White House. When President Madison announced his decision to continue the custom of serving only two terms, Monroe became the logical candidate for the Democratic-Republicans.
- Era of Good Feelings. At the beginning of Monroe's presidency, the nation had much to feel good about. It had declared victory in the War of 1812 and its economy was booming, allowing the administration to turn its attention toward domestic issues.
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Apr 24, 2024 · James Monroe, fifth president of the United States (1817–25), who issued an important contribution to U.S. foreign policy in the Monroe Doctrine.
