Buchanan was born the son of James and Elizabeth Speer Buchanan on April 23, 1791 in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania. His father was a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian immigrant who became a successful storekeeper and landowner. He learned his love of good books from his mother. Buchanan attended school in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania studying Latin and Greek. At the age of 16 he entered Dickinson College and graduated two years later in 1809. Upon graduation he studied law and was admitted to the bar three years later. With a wide knowledge of the law and a great ability as a public speaker, he was an immediate success as a lawyer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He moved freely in society and enjoyed the company of women. In 1819 Buchanan was engaged to marry Ann Coleman, the daughter of a wealthy Lancaster iron manufacturer. As the result of a quarrel, the engagement was broken. Ann died soon after. A desolate Buchanan never married and became the nation's only bachelor President.


In retirement at Wheatland 1861, he wrote to his nephew, "The Confederate States have deliberately commenced the civil war, & God knows where it may end. They were repeatedly warned by my administration that an assault on Fort Sumter would be civil war & they would be responsible for the consequences." We invite you to visit Wheatland to learn more about Pennsylvania's only US President and explore the story of his presidency, the fractious political issues of the times and his life at Wheatland.