James Monroe

James Monroe became President after more than 40 years of public service. He had fought in the Revolutionary War. During the first years of independence, he had served in the Virginia Assembly and in the Congress of the Confederation. He later became a U.S. Senator; Minister to France, Spain, and Great Britain; and Governor of Virginia. During the War of 1812, he served as Secretary of State and Secretary of War at the same time.

Monroe was tall and rawboned, and had a military bearing. His gray-blue eyes invited confidence. Even John Quincy Adams, who criticized almost everyone, spoke well of Monroe.

Chronology of James Monroe's Life and Career
April 28, 1758	Born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
1776	Commissioned a Lieutenant in the Continental Army.
1782	Elected to the Virginia Assembly.
1783	Elected to the Congress of the Confederation.
February 16, 1786	Married Elizabeth Kortright.
1786	Elected to the Virginia Assembly.
1789	Built his Ash Lawn estate near Charlottesville, Virginia.
1789	Defeated in bid for the first U.S. House of Representatives.
1790	Elected to the U.S. Senate.
1794	Named Minister to France.
1799	Elected Governor of Virginia.
1803	Sent to France by President Thomas Jefferson to help negotiate the purchase of New Orleans.
1803	Sent to Spain to help Charles Pinckney purchase the Floridas.
1804	Named Minister to Great Britain.
1808	Unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic-Republican presidential nomination.
1808	Elected to the Virginia Assembly.
1811	Appointed Secretary of State.
1814	Named Secretary of War.
1816	Elected President of the United States.
1820	Re-elected President.
July 4, 1831	Died in New York City.