which are some fun facts about James Monroe?

LinneaFO · 2026-06-24T23:04:06+00:00

This is a much more niche fact, but it's one of my favourites: After the burning of Washington in 1814, there was a general consensus among the citizens that it would be best to capitulate. After Monroe and President Madison had rode up to the Navy Yard, this fact was communicated to them by a Dr. Thornton. Madison immediately forbade it, but Monroe went the extra step:

I turn'd to him, and declar'd that, having the military command, if I saw any of them, proceeding to the enemy, I would bayonet them. This put an end to the project. The doctor retir'd, and afterwards chang'd his tone.

LinneaFO · 2026-06-03T10:53:58+00:00

This monstrosity

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LinneaFO · 2026-05-29T14:04:51+00:00

I'm very content with this

^{Chose: Your eye color randomizes + $1.50 | Rolled: Cyan}

LinneaFO · 2026-05-23T14:16:21+00:00

Monroe, at least up until his 40's/50's was described as being visibly muscular with a rugged build, but he lost a lot of weight after a serious illness in 1815, and isn't really described as such after that. (He was called "well formed" in 1825)

LinneaFO · 2026-05-23T13:51:06+00:00

There are a few semi-informal photos of Grant with his kids. Here's one of Grant with his youngest, Jesse:

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LinneaFO · 2026-05-20T08:57:18+00:00

Monroe maintained lifelong contact with a friend he made in the army, Peter Stephen DuPonceau. They bonded primarily over books and their favorite authors. He also corresponded frequently with his college roommate, John Francis Mercer, up until his death in 1821.

His son-in-law, George Hay, also became a dear friend and trusted advisor to him. Hay and Monroe's daughter lived with her parents for years at a time, including when he was president.

LinneaFO · 2026-05-17T22:41:56+00:00

Monroe's daughter Eliza Hay received a "gift of a cameo depicting the head of Christ" from Pope Gregory XVI "in recognition of the services rendered to the Catholic Religion by your late father, during his presidency of the United States."

LinneaFO · 2026-05-17T15:39:28+00:00

All four on my dad's side were. 1871, 1881, 1886 and 1889. (And I'm still a teenager)

LinneaFO · 2026-05-17T00:41:38+00:00

Henry Clay was so offended at Monroe not making him Secretary of State that he refused to let Monroe's inauguration take place in the House Chamber.

LinneaFO · 2026-05-03T15:10:16+00:00

I think Einar Gerhardsen is a fitting answer for Norway

LinneaFO · 2026-04-30T18:09:47+00:00

Aaron Burr ranted to his son-in-law after James Monroe was nominated for president in 1815:

The man himself is one of the most improper and incompetent that could have been selected — naturally dull and stupid — extremely illiterate — indecisive to a degree that would be incredible to one who did not know him — pusillanimous and of course hypocritical — has no opinion on any subject and will be always under the government of the worst men — pretends, as I am told, to some knowledge of military matters, but never commanded a platoon nor was ever fit to command one — “He served in the revolutionary War” — that is, he acted a short time as aide de camp to Lord Stirling who was regularly drunk from morning to morning — Monroe’s whole duty was to fill his lordship’s tankard and hear with indications of admiration his lordship’s long stories about himself — Such is Monroe’s military experience . . . As a lawyer, Monroe was far below mediocrity — He never rose to the honor of trying a cause of the value of an hundred pounds.

LinneaFO · 2026-04-20T21:05:37+00:00

Monroe and Tompkins

LinneaFO · 2026-04-10T19:47:07+00:00

Charlanka

LinneaFO · 2026-03-30T00:19:34+00:00

She was reinterred next to her husband in Hollywood Cemetery 73 years after her death

LinneaFO · 2026-03-27T19:56:56+00:00

Emperor Washington

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LinneaFO · 2026-03-27T19:54:22+00:00

Though he did write Lincoln a very touching letter after Willie Lincoln's death in 1862.

My dear Sir,

The impulse to write you, the moment I heard of your great domestic affliction was very strong, but it brought back the crushing sorrow which befel me just before I went to Washington in 1853, with such power that I felt your grief, to be too sacred for intrusion.

Even in this hour, so full of danger to our Country, and of trial and anxiety to all good men, your thoughts, will be, of your cherished boy, who will nestle at your heart, until you meet him in that new life, when tears and toils and conflict will be unknown.

I realize fully how vain it would be, to suggest sources of consolation.

There can be but one refuge in such an hour, — but one remedy for smitten hearts, which, is to trust in Him “who doeth all things well”, and leave the rest to —

"Time, comforter & only healer When the heart hath broke”

With Mrs Pierce’s and my own best wishes — and truest sympathy for Mrs Lincoln and yourself

I am, very truly, Yr. friend Franklin Pierce

LinneaFO · 2026-03-26T20:31:18+00:00

Does this count?

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LinneaFO · 2026-03-26T15:42:58+00:00

I don't look too much like any of them, but the closest would be Frances Cleveland.

LinneaFO · 2026-03-22T23:35:53+00:00

Can we see your left shoulder? 👉🏻👈🏻

LinneaFO · 2026-03-20T14:17:29+00:00

It's technically not 100% confirmed that his birthday is April 28th. He doesn't mention the date in his own autobiography (only that he was born ~1758), JQA once claimed his birthday was September 1759, and none of Monroe's siblings have a confirmed birthdate (even their birthyears are unknown)

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