Born: 1782, Kinderhook, NY
Died: 1862
Martin Van Buren was Andrew Jackson's early supporter, but the two men were not alike. A Northerner, Van Buren had the instincts of a back-room politician, while the Southern-born Jackson was a flamboyant and outspoken populist. Their unlikely alliance was forged in steel when Jackson named the Senator from New York his Secretary of State in 1829. Jackson's running mate in 1832, Van Buren succeeded him as President, defeating three candidates from the newly formed Whig Party. The Panic of 1837 followed, brought on in part by Jackson's 1836 order requiring land speculators to pay for property in silver and gold. As bankruptcies multiplied, Van Buren did nothing, hoping the crisis would resolve itself. Instead, cotton prices plummeted in 1839. The President responded with the Treasury Bill of 1840, but his previous hard line had already alienated many.
"The Little Magician" -- Van Buren's nickname from happier days -- was also criticized for rewarding supporters with political favors. The Whigs portrayed him as a high living, insensitive aristocrat, in contrast to their own "log cabin candidate," William Henry Harrison, who soundly defeated the incumbent in 1841. Van Buren ran unsuccessfully for President again in 1848 on the anti-slavery Free Soil ticket.
Eighth President
Democrat
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