At age seven, Henry was adopted by uncle James Buchanan and raised as his ward.

[3] Buchanan wanted his nephew to become an attorney like him, and paid for his admittance and education at Princeton[3] in 1850.

[7] Prior to Henry, each president paid the wages of his private secretaries out of his own pocket.

[8] Some of Henry's duties included drawing the President's salary and paying all of the bills.

After leaving the White House, he practiced law in New York City, where he served as Assistant United States District Attorney.