The Last Founding Father
After slugging my way through a reading of Mr. Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of Rebellion, I've found a much more enjoyable book to read. I've just began reading The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness by Harlow Giles Unger. I know I'm going to love this book, for two reasons. The lesser of the two is the author's style, though after struggling with Buchanan, anything would seem Pulitzer Prize worthy. The main reason is the subject himself. I didn't really know much about Monroe before, but his story is an amazing one. Monroe had a very impressive civil service resume. He was a war hero, a state legislator, a congressman, a US senator, ambassador to three different European nations, a four term governor of his home state, secretary of state, secretary of war, and finally a two-term President.
Monroe was the oldest of three sons, he had one older sister. Both of his parents died when James was still a teenager and, as was the tradition of the time, he became the "man of the house." While in school at William and Mary University, the rebellion broke out, and young James eagerly joined the cause. He joined the Continental army and agreed to fight for free, intending to imitate his hero George Washington. (Little did he know that the Continental Congress had decided by this time to decline Washington's offer to fight for free, and had voted to pay him a salary.) Monroe became a lieutenant and fought initially under the command of Captain William Washington (George's cousin.) Both men would be wounded at the Battle of Trenton. George Washington would quickly come to appreciate the young man's greatness.
Dorky fact: there's a famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware river, painted by Emmanuel Leutze. In the painting it is said that James Monroe is the person holding the flag, standing next to Washington. If that's what the artist intended, it is historically inaccurate. Monroe did cross the Delaware, but was actually on one of the boats that crossed ahead of GW.
Monroe became a Virginia state legislator, and represented Virginia in Congress and later in the United States Senate. He would serve as ambassador to Great Britain, France and Spain. He and his wife Elizabeth would play a large part in the escape of the Marquis de Lafayette from a Paris prison. As Secretary of War he would endure the War of 1812, and as President he would keep his country out of war and preside over the Era of Good Feelings. He was the only President, besides Washington, to be re-elected unanimously. The Monroe Doctrine would bear his name (even though his Secretary of State John Quincy Adams did all the heavy lifting.) Ultimately, his personal sacrifice would not be reciprocated, as he would leave office in poor financial shape, and would ultimately have to live with his daughter in New York.
Here is a brief YouTube video about Monroe's Presidency:
Monroe was the oldest of three sons, he had one older sister. Both of his parents died when James was still a teenager and, as was the tradition of the time, he became the "man of the house." While in school at William and Mary University, the rebellion broke out, and young James eagerly joined the cause. He joined the Continental army and agreed to fight for free, intending to imitate his hero George Washington. (Little did he know that the Continental Congress had decided by this time to decline Washington's offer to fight for free, and had voted to pay him a salary.) Monroe became a lieutenant and fought initially under the command of Captain William Washington (George's cousin.) Both men would be wounded at the Battle of Trenton. George Washington would quickly come to appreciate the young man's greatness.
Dorky fact: there's a famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware river, painted by Emmanuel Leutze. In the painting it is said that James Monroe is the person holding the flag, standing next to Washington. If that's what the artist intended, it is historically inaccurate. Monroe did cross the Delaware, but was actually on one of the boats that crossed ahead of GW.
Monroe became a Virginia state legislator, and represented Virginia in Congress and later in the United States Senate. He would serve as ambassador to Great Britain, France and Spain. He and his wife Elizabeth would play a large part in the escape of the Marquis de Lafayette from a Paris prison. As Secretary of War he would endure the War of 1812, and as President he would keep his country out of war and preside over the Era of Good Feelings. He was the only President, besides Washington, to be re-elected unanimously. The Monroe Doctrine would bear his name (even though his Secretary of State John Quincy Adams did all the heavy lifting.) Ultimately, his personal sacrifice would not be reciprocated, as he would leave office in poor financial shape, and would ultimately have to live with his daughter in New York.
Here is a brief YouTube video about Monroe's Presidency: