Born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Attended College of William and Mary. He was made a Mason in 1775. Married Elizabeth Kortright in 1786.

Enlisted to serve in the Continental Army. He was appointed a lieutenant and later major. He was wounded at Trenton.

Delegate to the Continenal Congress. Elected Senator and served November 9, 1790, to May 27, 1794. Served as minister to France 1794 to 1796. Elected Govenor of Virginia and served 1799 to 1802. Appointed minister to France and negotiated for the Louisiana Purchase. Served as minister to England 1804 to 1807.

Monroe ran for President in 1808 but was defeated by Madison. Elected to Virginia State Assembly, later Governor. Appointed Secretary of State under Madison 1811 to 1817. Appointed Secretary of War 1814 to 1815. Elected 5th President and served March 4, 1817, to March 3, 1825.

In 1823 he delivered what would be called "The Monroe Doctrine" declaring that The Americas should be free from colonial influences by European powers. He moved to New York City where he died in 1831.

Monroe appears on paper money:

$100 Silver Certificate, series of 1878, 1880 and 1881

$4 Bank of Monroe, Louisiana

Appears on 76 mm Indian Peace Medal (Julian IP-8) utilizing an obverse die by Moritz Furst and the common John Reich reverse. A 62 mm medal (Julian IP- 9) and 51 mm medal (Julian IP-10) were also produced. The modern mint medals (USM 105) are copies of the 76 mm size.

The James Monroe presidential dollar coin was released February 14, 2008, in a ceremony at Ash Lawn-Highland in Charlottesville, Virginia.. The obverse was designed and sculpted by Joseph Menna.

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