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James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland
County, Virginia (also the birthplace of President George
Washington). His father was Spence Monroe and his mother was
Elizabeth Jones Monroe. He was a graduate of The College of
William & Mary. James Monroe served as our nation’s 5th
President from March 4, 1817 to March 3, 1825.
Mr. Monroe was a lawyer. He served as a member of The
Continental Congress and later became a U.S. Senator. James
Monroe was also U.S. Minister to France, Minister to England,
Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State and Secretary of War.
James Monroe married Elizabeth “Eliza” Kortright in 1786.
They had three children: Eliza, James and Maria. Mr. Monroe
was the first President to have served as a U. S. Senator. He
was also the first President to ride on a steamboat. In the
election of 1820, James Monroe received all but one of the
electoral votes. A delegate from New Hampshire refused to cast
his vote for Mr. Monroe, to preserve the fact that George
Washington has been our only President to be unanimously
elected to office. “The Monroe Doctrine” was created and
enforced by President Monroe. It prohibited European countries
from establishing any more colonies in the Western Hemisphere.
President James Monroe died on July 4, 1831 in New York City.
At 73, he was the third President to die on a July 4th. |
