Martin Van Buren, the eighth US president, was known as the “Little Wizard” and “Red Fox of Kinderhook.” He developed policies for a national treasury, labor laws, and bank deposits, and helped develop the Democratic Party. Born in Kinderhook, NY, he became a lawyer and politician, serving in the New York State Senate and US Senate. He was elected president in 1836, but popularity declined during the Panic of 1837. He lost the 1840 election to William Henry Harrison and never won a majority vote again. He died in 1862.
Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States, was the first president born after the independence of the United States. He only served one term as president, and was bestowed with the nicknames “Little Wizard” and “Red Fox of Kinderhook,” presumably because he was considered a cunning and shrewd politician. However, the president managed to create a policy that would develop the independent national treasury, modern labor laws, and federally insured bank deposits. He is also credited with playing a role in developing the Democratic Party.
Born in Kinderhook, New York on December 5, 1782, Van Buren was of Dutch ancestry and the son of a tavern owner. He became familiar with politics as a child as his father was also a municipal employee and his tavern also served as a polling station in early national elections. After being educated, Martin became a lawyer, which eventually launched his political career.
Van Buren, a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, often appeared in court arguing against Federalist lawyers. He was skilled, and therefore was held in high regard by various political leaders. Van Buren was elected to the New York State Senate in 1812 and to the United States Senate in 1821. Siding strongly with Andrew Jackson, he helped Jackson win the election of 1828. His election to the presidency occurred in 1836, largely due to to the support of Jackson, who was popular with the American people and owed Van Buren his gratitude for years of service.
Almost immediately after he took office, the Panic of 1837 hit the country. As the depression unfolded, the president’s popularity declined rapidly. He sought a second term in the 1840 election, but was defeated by the Whig Party candidate, William Henry Harrison. Although Van Buren would seek a third election in 1848, he never again won the majority vote, but he remained active in politics, publicly endorsing Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election. Martin Van Buren died at his Kinderhook home on July 24 1862.
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