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President:
James Monroe
Wife: Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright (1768-1830),
on February 16, 1786
Kids: Eliza Kortright Monroe (1786-1835); James
Spence Monroe (1799-1800);Maria Hester Monroe (1803-50)
Pets: a spaniel
Bio: James Monroe, (1758-1831) was the 5th President
Of The United States. Monroe was born in Westmoreland
county, Virginia on April 28, 1758. Unlike the previous
presidents, his family was not well known, but ordinary
farmers. He began attending William and Mary College
in July 1774, but was too interested in fighting in
the American Revolution, so he enlisted in the Third
Virginia Regiment in the spring of 1776. He was seriously
wounded in Trenton but recovered and was promoted to
colonel.
In 1780, he returned to Virginia to study law and run
for public office, serving in the Confederation Congress
from 1783 - 1786. By 1789, he had married Elizabeth
Kortright of New York and was establishing a family.
Although one boy of theirs died in infancy, they went
on to raise two beautiful girls.
Elected to the United States Senate in 1790, he worked
with Jefferson and Madison in organizing the Republican
Party. Continuing his political career he became governor
of Virginia in 1799 and held various federal government
positions throughout the next several years, finally
being elected president in 1816.
Monroe’s presidency was most remembered for the
"Monroe Doctrine," although it was not known
by this name until 20 years after his death. Monroe’s
powerful statement still has an effect on our present
day foreign policies! His statement in the annual message
of December 1823 declared that all North and South American
continents were then closed to further colonization
by any outside forces. This was a bold and brave move
and set the United States up as protectors of other
nations.
Monroe served a second term and then retired to an estate
in Loudoun county, Virginia. He died on July 4, 1831,
at the home of his daughter in New York City.
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