James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States, was the second of eleven children born to James Buchanan Sr. and Elizabeth Speer Buchanan. Buchanan had six older siblings: Elizabeth, George, James Jr., William, Mary, and Eleanor, and four younger siblings: Thomas, Edward, Robert, and Margaret.
Buchanan's older sister Elizabeth was the first of the siblings to be born, in 1779. She was followed by George, who was born in 1781 and died in infancy. James Jr., born in 1783, was the third of the Buchanan siblings. He served as a militia officer during the War of 1812 and later became a member of the Pennsylvania legislature. William, born in 1785, also served in the military during the War of 1812 and later became a farmer. Mary, born in 1787, never married and lived with her brother James for much of her adult life. Eleanor, the youngest of the older siblings, was born in 1789 and married a wealthy landowner.
Buchanan's younger siblings included Thomas, who was born in 1791 and became a successful lawyer. Edward, born in 1794, also pursued a career in law and later served as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature. Robert, born in 1796, became a prominent farmer and businessman. Margaret, the youngest of the Buchanan siblings, was born in 1798 and never married.
Buchanan was very close to his siblings, especially his older sister Mary, who served as his hostess during his presidency. Despite the distance that often separated them, Buchanan maintained close relationships with all of his siblings throughout his life.
