James Monroe

James Monroe was born in the quiet town of Westmoreland County, Virginia on April 28, 1758.   His father, Spencer Monroe, was married to Elizabeth Jones in 1752.   Spencer Monroe was a circuit judge and a farmer for the town (Kane 40). Monroe was the oldest of five.   There were four other children; Andrew, Joseph, and Elizabeth.   His third brother had died in his early childhood.   He attended grammar school at a small academy for boys.   This school had a reputation for serving the best of men, like George Washington and John Marshall (Kane 40), which is unique because he later followed George Washington as president. George Washington was a family friend of the Monroe's.   He admired Washington and was influenced by him at a young age.   At age 16 his father Spencer Monroe died.   Monroe was left to be the man of the house.   A family member suggested that James should continue his education at the William and Mary College.   Monroe enrolled in the most difficult program that the College offered (Stefoff 11).   Within a year of his attendance at William and Mary College, the shot heard around the world at Lexington occurred.   War broke out with England, and Monroe wanted to do something about it.   At age 18 he later joined the army enlisting in the Third Virginia Infantry (Stefoff 12).   Monroe was appointed lieutenant after a party of soldiers raided a British house taking guns and supplies.   He later was acquainted with George Washington when the Third Virginia Infantry was joined with Washington's troops in New York (Stefoff 13).   During the war he was wounded in the Battle of Trenton but not severely.   Monroe assigned to deskwork was asked if he would send a letter to the governor of Virginia asking for more soldiers.   Monroe was waiting for a response from Washington but never heard from him, so in the mean time he studied law (Stefoff 15).   Monroe became an aid under Thomas Jefferson, Governor of Virginia also influenced his life.   Monroe and his good school friend... [continues]

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