The Peabody Award‑winning series profiling the men who have served as chief executive of the United States.

Martin Van BurenView Program

8th President - Martin Van Buren
Born: December 5, 1782
Died: July 24, 1862

  • Personal
  • First Lady: Angelica Singleton Van Buren, Daughter-In-Law
  • Children: 4
  • Education Level: No College
  • Profession: Lawyer
  • Public Service
  • Dates of Presidency: March 4, 1837 - March 3, 1841
  • # of Terms: 1
  • Vice President: Richard M. Johnson
  • Party: Democratic
  • Vice President For: Andrew Jackson (1833-1837)
  • Cabinet Service: Secretary of State (Andrew Jackson, 1829-1831)
  • Governor: New York (1829)
  • Senator: New York (1821-1828)
  • State Legislature: New York (1812-1820)
  • Did You Know?
  • He presided over the economic Panic of 1837.
  • He was the first president born as a United States citizen.
  • Until George Bush, Martin Van Buren was the last vice president to be elected to succeed the president under whom he served.
  • He was described as a "dandy," and known to be an exquisite dresser who enjoyed expensive wine and rich food.
  • Did You Know?
  • He presided over the economic Panic of 1837.
  • He was the first president born as a United States citizen.
  • Until George Bush, Martin Van Buren was the last vice president to be elected to succeed the president under whom he served.
  • He was described as a "dandy," and known to be an exquisite dresser who enjoyed expensive wine and rich food.
  • During his inauguration, there were roughly 20,000 people cheering for his predecessor, Andrew Jackson.
  • Van Buren’s wife, Hannah Hoes Van Buren, died before Van Buren became president, and very little is known about her.
  • He was the eighth president, the eighth vice president and lived to see the election of eight different presidents from eight different states.
  • "There is a power of public opinion in this country. .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."
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About This Series

The Peabody Award-winning series profiles the men who have served as chief executive of the United States. This website, created as a companion to C-SPAN's 20th anniversary television series, provides an in-depth look at each of the presidents, their lives, families and administrations.