Born: April 23, 1791

Died: June 1, 1868

First Lady: Never married

Political Party: Democratic

Presidential Term: March 4, 1857 to March 3, 1861

Famous Quote: “The ballot box is the surest arbiter of disputes among freemen.”

Timeline

1809 Graduated from Dickinson College

1812 Admitted to the bar

1814 Fought in the War of 1812

1815-1816 Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

1821-1831 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives

1832-1833 U.S. minister to Russia

1834-1845 U.S. senator from Pennsylvania

1845-1849 Secretary of state

1853-1856 U.S. minister to Great Britain

1857-1861 Fifteenth president of the United States

1858 Minnesota admitted to the Union

1859 Oregon admitted to the Union

1861 Kansas admitted to the Union