Went to Dickinson College in Pennsylvania

Aimed at law: went to bustling Lancaster to practice (almost PA capital)

Two terms in Pennsylvania Assembly during War of 1812: fell in with Federalists in heavily Democratic state

Went back to Lancaster for property law and got engaged to Ann Coleman, but innuendo about Buchanan eyeing another young woman led to broken engagement and Ann’s suicide soon after, by “hysteria”

Switched to Democrats from Federalists in 1824 Congress when Federalists didn’t field a candidate

Involved with Jackson, Clay, and Calhoun; thought might be Jackson’s VP in 1832 but was appointed to Russia minister instead because Jackson didn’t trust him

Sent to Russia to fail, basically, he secured first U.S. treaty with Czar Nicholas via charm and luck

Secretary of State under Polk, then in and out of presidential race in 1844, 1848, and 1852

Big party host as Secretary of State (more domestic administrative post then)

Led in delegates in 1852 but to break logjam put up Franklin Pierce as dark horse, who ended up winning

Ambassador to Britain after 1852 election, kept him out of Kansas/Nebraska imbroglio

Day before inauguration Congress passed Tariff Bill of 1857, which lowered tariffs and what Buchanan wanted, but caused Panic of 1857

Dred Scott decision, which Buchanan influenced to be broad and decision in order to end slavery debate, came 2 days after inauguration and did anything but