Monroe, James

5th president of the USA 1817–25, a Democratic Republican. He served in the American Revolution, was minister to France 1794–96, and in 1803 negotiated the Louisiana Purchase. He was secretary of state 1811–14 and 1815–17, and secretary of war 1814–15. His name is associated with the Monroe Doctrine.

Monroe served in the legislature of his native Virginia in 1782, and represented Virginia along with Thomas Jefferson in the Continental Congress 1783–86. Monroe opposed ratification of the constitution when it came before the Virginia ratifying convention in 1788, fearing a central government with excessive power. He was a member of the US Senate 1790–94 and governor of Virginia 1799–1802. As president, he presided over the so-called Era of Good Feeling, a period of domestic tranquillity. He took no firm stand on the question of slavery, making his mark in foreign policy.