II.

Early Life

Buchanan was born on April 23, 1791, near Mercersburg in south-central Pennsylvania. He was the son of James Buchanan, a well-to-do businessman, and Elizabeth Speer Buchanan. He attended school in Mercersburg, and in 1807 he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He graduated two years later and began the study of law. In 1812 Buchanan was admitted to practice. Before long, he was a prosperous lawyer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

During this period, Buchanan fell in love and became engaged to be married. However, his fiancee, Ann Coleman, died suddenly after breaking off the engagement, and he remained a bachelor all his life.