Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 23 April 1791
- James Buchanan was the United States Ambassador to Russia when St. Petersburg was its capital. The Russian emperor at that time was Nicholas I, and the Russian secret police was established during his rule.
James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States, was born on this day in 1791.
It is very interesting that had been the United States Ambassador to the Russian Empire a quarter of a century before he became the president.
Buchanan was born in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania during the French Revolution in Europe. He had ten brothers and sisters. In his youth, he was a volunteer in a military unit of dragoons.
It is interesting that he was the only American president with a military experience as a soldier rather than an officer. He became a politician, and was appointed ambassador to the Russian Empire (when Jackson was the President).
James Buchanan was the United States Ambassador to Russia when St. Petersburg was the its capital. The Russian emperor at that time was Nicholas I, and it was known that he ruled Russia through repression.
The Russian secret police was established during Nicholas I’s rule – a service led by the General Count Alexander Benkendorf.
