James Monroe was a Founding Father and the fifth President of the United States. Spence Monroe and Elizabeth Jones gave birth to him on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He had three brothers and one sister. His forefathers came to America from Scotland, Wales, and France. James attended school for only 11 weeks a year when he was 11 because he had to work on the farm the rest of the time. Both of his parents died when he was 16, and he was forced to drop out of school to support his brothers. James was enrolled in college by his uncle, who introduced him to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. James joined the Continental Army after becoming involved in the opposition to Virginia’s governor.
James dropped out of the College of William and Mary to join the 3rd Virginia Regiment during the Revolutionary War, where he served under George Washington, the first President of the United States.
James Monroe was wounded during the Battle of Trenton, and as a result, he had shrapnel in his shoulder for the rest of his life.
James Monroe rose to the rank of Colonel in the Virginia army.
Following his service, James Munroe concentrated on studying law with Thomas Jefferson, the Governor of Virginia at the time.
On February 16, 1786, James Monroe married Elizabeth Kortright in New York City. She was the daughter of a wealthy trader and a former British officer.
After their honeymoon, James and his wife settled in Charlottesville, Virginia. They had three children together during their marriage. They were very close, and Elizabeth frequently traveled on business with James.
Despite having many slaves, JJames Monroe’s plantation was not profitable.
James Monroe was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1782.
James Monroe was elected to the Confederation Congress in 1783.
James Monroe was a proponent of western expansion. He was heavily involved in the Louisiana Purchase negotiations.
In 1786, James Monroe resigned from Congress to pursue a career in law.
James Monroe was elected to the Virginia Ratifying Convention as a delegate.
James Monroe was sent to France in 1803 to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans. Napoleon was desperate for cash and sold it for a low price. In addition, James was able to secure the entire Louisiana Territory.
James Monroe attempted to negotiate the purchase of the Floridas with Spain but was unsuccessful. He completed the purchase 15 years later, during his first term as President of the United States, in 1819.
The first President of the United States to travel by steamboat was James Monroe. Parades and other events greeted him wherever he went in the United States.
By the time he served two terms as President of the United States, James Munroe had been in politics for 50 years. He had held more elected public positions than any previous or subsequent president.
The inventor of Morse Code once painted a portrait of James Monroe.
On July 4, 1831, James Monroe died. He was regarded as the final of the Founding Fathers.
