Presidential Biographies | Monroe Administrations - Post-presidential Years

Post-presidential Years

Monroe did not immediately leave the White House after his term of office ended. His wife Elizabeth Monroe was too sick to travel, and so the Monroes stayed for a few weeks until she was well. After the strain and turbulence of eight years in the White House, Monroe was eager to return to his home in Oak Hill, Virginia.

Monroe continued to see and communicate with his friends, former presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who lived nearby. He also served, along with his two friends, as a board member for the University of Virginia, which was founded by Jefferson, and Monroe continued in that capacity after Jefferson died.

After leaving the presidency, Monroe avoided partisan political involvement. He used his influence to get George Hay, his son-in-law, an appointment as a federal judge, and his other son-in-law, Samuel Governeur, appointed postmaster for New York, but otherwise he stayed...