Martin Van Buren

I

Introduction

Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), eighth president of the United States (1837-1841) and the first president born after the United States won its independence. He was regarded by his contemporaries as such a wily and artful politician that they dubbed him the “Little Magician” and the “Red Fox of Kinderhook.” However, these unflattering nicknames could not obscure his statesmanlike qualities or his valuable contributions to the political development of the nation. He was a political broker, pragmatic in his approach to problems and constantly concerned about winning elections. Nevertheless, he was intellectually committed to Jeffersonian democracy, and as governor of New York and president of the United States he instituted a number of farsighted economic and political reforms. These included bank deposit insurance, the independent treasury system, and a limit on labor hours. He also played a major role in the creation of the Democratic Party.

II

Early Life

Martin Van Buren was born on December 5, 1782, in the village of Kinderhook, New York. He was the son of Abraham and Maria Hoes Van Buren, both of Dutch descent, whose families had lived in New York for several generations. His father operated a tavern on the post road between New York City and Albany. The tavern, which was part of the Van Buren home, was frequently visited by state legislators on their way to and from the state capital.

Abraham Van Buren served as town clerk, and his tavern was frequently used as a polling place in state and national elections. Since he was a staunch supporter of the Jeffersonian Party, which emphasized agrarianism, states' rights, and a limited national government, his son Martin absorbed these ideas. Thus, at an early age, Van Buren became acquainted with politicians, heard their discussions of issues and events, and presumably learned a great deal about history, politics, and the means by which men attempt to influence one another to achieve their political goals.

A

Education

Martin Van Buren's formal education was acquired at the local village academy, from which he was graduated at the age of 14. Later he was placed in the law office of Francis Sylvester. There he swept floors, ran errands, and copied documents. Presumably through this exposure to the legal profession a young apprentice could learn enough law to gain admission to the practice of law.

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Several early biographers tell a story that at the age of 15, Van Buren was in court during the trial of a minor case. The judge suddenly turned to him and invited him to sum up the arguments for the jury. Because he was rather short, he was told to stand on a bench so he could be seen. “There, Mat, beat your master,” was what the judge supposedly said as he instructed Van Buren to begin the summation. Regardless of the truth of the story, Van Buren's cleverness was noticed from the start of his career.

Van Buren remained at Sylvester's law office until he was 20, after which he moved to New York City and entered the law office of William P. Van Ness. He completed his studies there and the following year was admitted to the practice of law. In 1803 he returned to Kinderhook and began a successful law practice there, building a reputation as a zealous and resourceful lawyer.

B

Marriage and Family

On February 21, 1807, Van Buren married his distant cousin Hannah Hoes. They had four sons: Abraham, Martin, John, and Smith Thompson. Abraham served as his father's secretary during his presidency, and John became attorney general of New York and a leader of the Free-Soil Party. After 12 years of marriage, Hannah Van Buren died of tuberculosis. Van Buren never remarried.

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