Biographies

James Monroe
(1758–1831)

Courtesy Library of Congress

"The American continents…are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers."
—Annual Message to Congress, 1823

James Monroe articulated one of the guiding principles of American foreign policy, the Monroe Doctrine, which warned against outside interference in the Western Hemisphere.

Early Years

James Monroe grew up in a propertied family in Virginia, where he entered the College of William and Mary at the age of 16. In 1776 he cut his education short to fight in the Revolution, and was severely wounded. In 1780, he began the study of law under Thomas Jefferson, then governor of Virginia, and the two became friends and political allies. Monroe opened a law practice in 1786.

The New Government Elected

to the Virginia legislature in 1782, Monroe later served in the Congress under the Articles of Confederation. He did not attend the Constitutional Convention, and opposed ratification, fearing that the new government encroached on states' rights. Nevertheless, in 1790, Monroe was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he supported Jefferson and his allies and opposed Washington and the Federalists.

Diplomatic and Government Service

Monroe's record as diplomat was mixed. His first mission to France in 1794 was unsuccessful, but he was instrumental in the acquisition of Louisiana in 1803. Later missions to Spain and Britain were also unsuccessful, and Monroe returned home in 1807. He served again in the Virginia legislature, and as governor, and then became President Madison's secretary of state from 1811 to 1817.

Presidency

Monroe was elected in a landslide in 1816, and his loss of only one electoral vote in the 1820 election marked the end of the Federalist Party. The Monroe administration has been called the Era of Good Feeling. It was marked by the acquisition of Florida from Spain, and the Missouri Compromise, which Monroe signed in spite of his Southern sympathies. It was in his annual message to Congress in 1823 that Monroe issued what came to be called the Monroe Doctrine.

Retirement

After returning to Virginia, Monroe became a member of the governing board of the University of Virginia. In 1829, he presided over his State's constitutional convention, where he took a conservative stance. He died on July 4, 1831.