What were James Buchanan's Early Careers?

Answer 1

James Buchanan Jr. (April 23, 1791 - June 1, 1868) was the 15th President of the United States; serving from 1857-1861.

Before he took the presidency, however, Buchanan held several other jobs. They are as follows:

1. He was a volunteer with a light dragoon unit after the British invaded Maryland in the War of 1812. He also helped defend Baltimore.

2. He was Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the years of 1814-1816.

3. Buchanan was the elected member of the United States' 17th Congress and the following four Congresses, including serving as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary in his final term during the 21st Congress (1829 - 31); serving a total of 10 years from 1821-1831.

4. He was appointed by then-President Andrew Jackson as United States Foreign Minister to Russia. Serving from January 4, 1832 - August 5,1833.

5. He then became Senator to Pennsylvania from December 6, 1834 - March 5, 1845, being reelected in 1837 and 1843. He was also, during this time, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations from 1835 - 1841 (the 24th thru 26th Congresses).

6. Buchanan resigned from his Senate position in 1845 to fill the office offered to him by then-President James K. Polk for Secretary of State; serving from 1845 - 1849.

7. By 1852, Franklin and Marshall College in Buchanan's hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania named him as president of the Board of Trustees, maintaining this office until 1866.

8. During his time on F&M's board of trustees he also served as Foreign Minister (or Ambassador) to the United Kingdom (then-known as the Court of St. James's) from 1853 - 1856 under President Franklin Pierce.

Note: While Senator to Pennsylvania, President Polk nominated James Buchanan to be a Justice in the Supreme Court in order to fill the vacancy after the death of Justice Henry Baldwin. Buchanan refused the position due to other political priorities.

Answer 2

He was a lawyer and James K. Polks secretary.