Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren (December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862), nicknamed Old Kinderhook, was the eighth President of the United States. He was the first President born after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the first of non-Anglo descent, and the only President to date whose first language has not been English (it was Dutch).

Biography

Van Buren was born in the village of Kinderhook, New York, twenty miles south of Albany, the state capital. His great-great-great-grandfather Cornelis had come to the New World in 1631 from the Netherlands. Martin's father was Abraham van Buren (February 17, 1737–April 8, 1817), a farmer and popular tavern-keeper. His mother was Maria Hoes (February 27, 1747–February 16, 1817) who also had children from a previous marriage.

Related Topics:
Kinderhook - New York - Albany - State capital - New World - 1631 - Netherlands - February 17 - 1737 - April 8 - 1817 - Tavern - February 27 - 1747 - February 16

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Martin's education was limited to that which could be obtained in the common schools and at Kinderhook Academy. In 1796 he began the study of law, completing his preparation in 1802 in New York, where he studied under William Peter van Ness (1778-1826), an eminent lawyer and later Aaron Burr's second in the duel with Alexander Hamilton. Van Buren made the acquaintance of Burr, but did not fall under his influence. In 1803 he was admitted to the bar and continued in active and successful practice for twenty-five years.

Related Topics:
Kinderhook Academy - 1796 - Law - 1802 - New York - William Peter van Ness - 1778 - 1826 - Aaron Burr - Alexander Hamilton - 1803 - Bar

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His practice made him financially independent, and paved the way for his entrance into politics. New York politics after 1800, the year of the election of Jefferson and the downfall of the Federalists, were particularly bitter and personal. The Republicans were divided into three factions: followers of George Clinton (and later of his nephew, De Witt Clinton), Robert R. Livingston and Aaron Burr. Federalist control after 1799 depended upon coalition with one or other of these groups. Van Buren, who allied himself early with the Clintonians, was surrogate of Columbia County from 1808 until 1813, when he was removed. In 1812 he entered the state Senate, and he also became a member of the Court for the Correction of Errors, the highest court in New York until 1847.

Related Topics:
1800 - Jefferson - Federalists - Republicans - George Clinton - De Witt Clinton - Robert R. Livingston - 1799 - Columbia County - 1808 - 1813 - 1812 - Court for the Correction of Errors - Court - 1847

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