Harriet Lane was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania in May 1830. At an early age she lost her parents and Senator James Buchanan became her legal guardian.

Buchanan enrolled his niece in a boarding school in Charleston, Virginia, now present day West Virginia. Later he put her in the Academy of the Visitation Convent in Georgetown, Virginia.

Becoming First Lady

James Buchanan never married, so when he was elected as President in 1857 he needed someone to take on the role of hostess. His best choice for that role was Harriet Lane. As her legal guardian, Buchanan gave her the opportunity to travel with him and to learn about social functions in Washington, D.C.