A biography OF Martin Van Buren

Van Buren received his early education at the local village school, where he learned to read and write in both Dutch and English. He later attended the Kinderhook Academy for secondary education. Despite not receiving a formal college education, Van Buren was an avid reader and self-educated individual.

In 1803, at the age of 21, Van Buren began his political career by joining the Democratic-Republican Party. He quickly rose through the ranks of New York politics, serving as a state senator from 1812 to 1820 and as attorney general of New York from 1815 to 1819.

Van Buren's political acumen and skillful maneuvering earned him the nickname "The Little Magician." In 1821, he was elected to the United States Senate, where he served until 1828. During his time in the Senate, Van Buren became a key ally of President Andrew Jackson and played a crucial role in the formation of the Democratic Party.

In 1828, Van Buren was appointed as the governor of New York, but he resigned after only a few months to accept the position of Secretary of State under President Jackson. In 1832, he was elected Vice President of the United States and served in that capacity until 1836.

In 1836, Van Buren won the presidential election and became the eighth President of the United States. His presidency was marked by economic challenges, including the Panic of 1837, which led to a severe depression. Despite his efforts to address the economic crisis, Van Buren's popularity declined, and he lost his bid for re-election in 1840.

After leaving office, Van Buren remained active in politics and continued to be involved in the Democratic Party. He made unsuccessful bids for the presidency in 1844 and 1848. In his later years, Van Buren focused on writing his autobiography and remained a respected elder statesman until his death on July 24, 1862, in Kinderhook, New York.