James Monroe is one of the earliest US presidents (from the 19th century) - he was 5th in line and served between the years of 1817 and 1825. Monroe was the last president of the Virginia dynasty (a trend that highlighted the fact that four of the first five US presidents were from the state of Virginia), and his presidency ushered what is today known as the Era of Good Feelings.
He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was a part of the planter class, and he participated in the American Revolutionary War. However, he was gravely injured during the Battle of Trenton, where a musket ball hit his shoulder. After his military career, he served as a delegate in the Continental Congress, after studying law under the guidance of Thomas Jefferson.