3 Quotes by Harlow Giles Unger

Monroe's presidency made poor men rich, turned political allies into friends, and united a divided people as no president had done since Washington.

At the end of June 1783, Monroe's first year of government service came to an end. Although he had accomplished nothing, he had done no less than his colleagues - which is exactly what Virginia planters had elected them to do.

He was curious, courteous, open - never arrogant or condescending - and generous to a fault. Abigail Adams later noted his "agreeable affability," "unassuming manner," and "polite attentions to all orders and ranks"...