Monroe, James

Monroe, James (1758–1831) 5th president of the United States (1817–25), born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Monroe fought in the Revolutionary War and was wounded at the battle of Trenton (1776). He later studied law with Thomas Jefferson and served in the Virginia legislature (1782). As a delegate to the Continental Congress (1783–86), Monroe opposed ratification of the Constitution, believing it granted too much power to the central government. While serving in the Senate (1790–94), Monroe became a staunch anti-Federalist, allying himself with the Jeffersonians. As governor of Virginia (1799–1802; 1811) Monroe proved a solid administrator. In 1803 he helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase; giving him national prominence. As minister to Great Britain (1803–07), Monroe failed to effect a treaty acceptable to Jefferson. In 1811 James Madison appointed Monroe secretary of state, and for a time during the War of 1812 he was secretary of war as well (1814–15), reorganizing that department. In the presidential election of 1816 Monroe handily defeated his Federalist opposition, and four years later was easily reelected. His inauguration ushered in what came to be called the “Era of Good Feeling.” Monroe toured the country, put together a strong cabinet, acquired Florida (1819), and approved the Missouri Compromise (1820). His most significant achievement came in the realm of foreign affairs with the declaration, later known as the Monroe Doctrine, that the United States considered the Americas closed to further colonization and would regard as an unfriendly act any interference in their affairs. The principle was formulated with the assistance of secretary of state John Quincy Adams and issued in Monroe's annual message of 1823.

Monroe was the last of the revolutionary generation to hold the presidency.