Profile
James Monroe: The President of the Era of Good Feelings
Fifth President of the United States, born in Virginia on 28 April 1758
James Monroe was born on 28 April 1758 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He left college to fight in the Revolutionary War and was wounded at Trenton.
He studied law under Thomas Jefferson, served as a senator and governor, and helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. He was Secretary of State and Secretary of War under James Madison.
Elected president in 1816 and re-elected almost unopposed in 1820, he set out the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. He died in New York on 4 July 1831.
Career highlights
- 1758Born in Virginia
- 1776Battle of Trenton: wounded fighting for independence
- 1790US senator: for Virginia
- 1799Governor of Virginia
- 1803Louisiana Purchase: helps negotiate the deal
- 1811Secretary of State: under Madison
- 1817Becomes president: fifth president of the United States
- 1823Monroe Doctrine
- 1831Dies in New York: on Independence Day
Did you know?He is the figure holding the flag behind George Washington in the famous painting Washington Crossing the Delaware.
