Martin Van Buren

Date of Birth: December 5, 1782

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: July 24, 1862

Biography

Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States, serving from 1837 to 1841. Born into a family of modest means, he rose to become a key figure in the Democratic Party and a prominent statesman in the early 19th century. Van Buren was a skilled politician and a master of the “Albany Regency,” a political machine that dominated New York politics. Before his presidency, he served as the Governor of New York, U.S. Secretary of State, and Vice President under Andrew Jackson. His presidency was marked by the Panic of 1837, a severe economic depression. Despite his efforts to stabilize the economy, his administration faced significant criticism, and he was defeated in his bid for re-election. After his presidency, Van Buren remained active in politics and was an advocate for the abolition of slavery. He passed away in 1862 at the age of 79.

5 Interesting Facts about Martin Van Buren

1. Martin Van Buren was the first president to be born a U.S. citizen; all previous presidents were born British subjects.

2. He was known by the nickname “Old Kinderhook,” derived from his hometown of Kinderhook, New York, which may have contributed to the popularization of the term “OK.”

3. Van Buren was a key architect of the Democratic Party and helped to establish it as a dominant force in American politics.

4. He was the first president to use a campaign slogan; his supporters chanted “Van, Van, he’s our man.”

5. Martin Van Buren was one of the founders of the Free Soil Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Martin Van Buren

1. “As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.”

2. “It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.”

3. “I only wish to be the fountain of love from which you drink, every drop promising you the greatest of pleasures.”

4. “The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.”

5. “There is a power in public opinion in this country – and I thank God for it: for it is the most honest and best of all powers – which will not tolerate an incompetent or unworthy man to hold in his weak or wicked hands the lives and fortunes of his fellow-citizens.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Martin Van Buren’s highest estimated net worth was approximately $5 million in today’s dollars.

Children

Martin Van Buren had four sons with his wife, Hannah Hoes Van Buren: 1. Abraham Van Buren (1807–1873) 2. John Van Buren (1810–1866) 3. Martin Van Buren Jr. (1812–1855) 4. Smith Thompson Van Buren (1817–1876)