Martin Van Buren

Van Buren, Martin (1782–1862), eighth president of the United States. Van Buren was a shrewd judge of people and affairs and a consummate politician who virtually created the Democratic party and made Andrew Jackson president. Van Buren's skill in political maneuvering and in using patronage and the power of the press earned him the nickname “The Little Magician” and “The Fox of Kinderhook.” But what he could do for others, he could not do as well for himself. His presidency did not lack achievement, but his do-nothing attitude in the face of the United States' first major depression cost him reelection.

Early life

With a rudimentary education, Van Buren studied law from an early age under a local lawyer. He was admitted to the bar in 1803. He began a successful legal career in Kinderhook, N.Y., entering local politics at about the same time. In 1807, he married Hannah Hoes. She died in 1819; he never remarried.

Politics

Van Buren served as surrogate of Columbia County, N.Y., then as New York senator and attorney general. His industry and political astuteness soon won him influence within the Republican Party. In 1821, he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

He stood for state's rights and opposed a strong central government, began to bring together other powerful Republicans who shared his sentiments. These “new” Republicans became the Democratic Party. In 1828, the year Jackson won the presidency, Van Buren was elected governor of New York. But within a few months, he resigned to become Jackson's secretary of state (1829–31). He served Jackson more as a political manager than as a cabinet member and became one of the most powerful men in Washington. He drafted Jackson's speeches, smoothed his relations with Congress, and continued to build up the Democratic Party. When Jackson won reelection in 1832, Van Buren was his running mate. In 1836, Jackson supported Van Buren for the presidency as his “hand-picked” successor; Van Buren defeated Whig candidate William Henry Harrison.

President

Within days of Van Buren's inauguration, the Panic of 1837 broke. Banks and business failed, specie payments were suspended, and rents, fuel and food prices soared. The Panic had been caused by unchecked speculation in western lands, manufacturing, transportation, and banking. A firm hand was needed to control it, but Van Buren, who believed that “the less government interferes with private pursuits the better for the general prosperity,” did almost nothing. Inevitably, he was blamed for the depression, as well as for the costly war against the Seminoles in Florida. He also antagonized the South by opposing the annexation of Texas. He was nominated for reelection in 1840, but had little chance of winning. The rough campaign tactics used to elect Jackson were used against Van Buren, and he lost to Harrison.

Retirement

Van Buren retired to his country estate at Kinderhook. He ran for president as a Democrat in 1844 but failed to win nomination; he ran again in 1848 on the Free-Soil ticket and lost. He died on July 24, 1862.