President Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, New York on December 5, 1782. He was the first president to be born an American. All the other presidents had been British at birth.

He was also the first president born after the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Van Buren was the first president of Dutch descent. He spoke Dutch at home.

He had red hair when he was young. Martin was 5' 6" tall.

Martin worked in his father's tavern when he was young.

He was a lawyer.

Martin VanBuren married Hannah Hoes on February 21, 1807. She was 23 and he was 24. Hannah was his first cousin.

Martin had four sons.

When he was vice president, he presided over the Senate wearing a pair of pistols, as a precaution against the frequent outbursts of violence.

Martin Van Buren had large mutton-chop sideburns. He was called the "Red Fox" because he had red hair and was a crafty politician.

Davy Crockett who was serving in congress criticized how Van Buren dressed. He said his clothes were "Feminine."

He opposed annexing Texas, which cost him being reelected.

When he was 68 he proposed marriage to Margaret Sylvester. She turn him down.

Van Buren was known as "Old Kinderhook." Some people called him O.K. This nickname is given credit for the origin of the word "okay."

Van Buren was one of the founders of the Democratic Party. The men who ran his campaign were called "Bucktails."

Johnson, Van Buren's Vice President was the only Vice President to be selected by the U.S. Senate. Since no one had received a majority of the electoral votes the Senate had to elect the Vice President.

Van Buren's Vice President was Richard M. Johnson (1837-1841).

The U.S. had several problems during his term. Soon after he became President, hundreds of banks failed causing financial panic. Also, the arguments about slavery became more intense.

The public criticize for his fancy dress, his expensive carriages, and renovation of the White House including golden spoons. He was very unpopular.

Martin Van Buren took $100,000, the sum of his salary as president for 4 years, in a lump sum at the end of his term.

"I have never yet seen unpretending, but honest zeal and practical efforts t be useful, go without their ultimate reward."

"As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my live were those of my entry upon the office and the day of my surrender of it."

"Indebted cannot be lessened by borrowing more money, of by changing the form of the debt."

Martin Van Buren 1837 - 1841Eighth President

Martin Van Buren
1837 - 1841
Eighth President