James Buchanan was the 15th President of the US, serving a single term from 1857 to 1861. Today historians often criticize James for his failure to address the issue of slavery, which was rampant in the US during that period. His inaction eventually led to the secession of the southern states of the US, resulting in the North's army attacking the South, leading to the American Civil War.
He was a member of the Democratic Party, and he served as the 17th US Secretary of State, as well as in the US Senate. He was born in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, to parents of Ulster-Scots descent. Before becoming active in politics, he was successful professionally and became a prominent lawyer in the town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His political career started to grow with his entry to the House of Representatives in 1820.