James Monroe

James Monroe (April 28, 1759 – July 4, 1831) was the fifth president of the United States.

James Monroe
5th President of the United States
In office March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
Vice President	Daniel D. Tompkins
Preceded by	James Madison
Succeeded by	John Quincy Adams
12th and 16th Governor of Virginia
In office December 28, 1799 – December 1, 1802
Preceded by	James Wood
Succeeded by	John Page
In office January 16, 1811 – April 2, 1811
Preceded by	George William Smith
Succeeded by	George William Smith
Personal details
Born	(1759-04-28)April 28, 1759 Westmoreland County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	July 4, 1831(1831-07-04) (aged 73) New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Kortright Monroe
Religion	Episcopal Church
Signature

He usually agreed with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, the two presidents before him.

Many cities have been named Monroe. For example, Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is named after him.^[1]

Early life

Monroe was born in Virginia on April 28, 1758. When Monroe was 16, his father died.

At age 18, Monroe joined the Continental Army. He later studied law with Thomas Jefferson.^[2]

Monroe married Elizabeth Kotright in 1789.

Political life

Monroe was an Anti-Federalist and did not want the United States Constitution to pass. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1790. He helped form the Democratic-Republican Party with Jefferson and James Madison.^[1]

Monroe was the governor of Virginia from 1799 to 1802.^[3]

Monroe went to Paris to help negotiate the Louisiana Purchase and later became Ambassador to the United Kingdom.^[4]

Monroe was President Madison's Secretary of State and Secretary of War.^[5]

Presidency

Monroe was president from 1817 to 1825. With Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, Monroe got Spain to give Florida to the United States. Monroe and Adams also agreed on stating the Monroe Doctrine, the policy that the United States did not want Europe to expand its colonies in the Western Hemisphere and did not want to get involved in European affairs..

Monroe signed the Missouri Compromise, which temporarily settled the slavery issue in the United States. Monroe was the last president to have fought in the American Revolutionary War and the last Founding Father of the United States to be alive.^[6]

Post-presidency

Monroe retired to Virginia. After his wife's death, he moved to New York City, where he died on July 4, 1831 of tuberculosis at the age of 73.

Monroe is the only U.S. president other than Washington to have a country's capital named after him.^[7] The capital of Liberia, Monrovia, is named after Monroe.^[7]