Tag Archives: Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren and the Great Resignation

They called him The Little Magician . MVB: Dutch Politician Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) was born in Kinderhook, near Albany New York, to a tavern keeper and his second wife. Originally from The Netherlands, their first language – and that … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Richard M. Johnson: Scandalized Vice President

Richard Mentor Johnson was our first VP Johnson. Andrew (2) and Lyndon (3) came later. RMJ: Kentuckian Richard Mentor Johnson (1780-1850), was born/raised near what is now Louisville, KY when the area was still part of Virginia. His was a … Continue reading

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The Three Forgotten FIRST LADIES

Following Dolley Madison, there was a big gap in the role of the First Lady Elizabeth Monroe was a reclusive woman by nature, and her grown daughter was a snobbish substitute. Louisa Adams was in chronic poor health; her husband … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Franklin Pierce, James K. Polk, James Monroe, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Zachary Taylor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

New York: Mother of VEEPS

New York can boast being home to ELEVEN Vice Presidents! The Old Guys…  In the early days of our country, a geopolitical balance between the President and Vice President was considered important – at least in vote-getting accommodation. With only … Continue reading

Posted in Chester Arthur, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Nifty History People, Theodore Roosevelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Presidents of New York

Virginia and Ohio claim to be Mother of Presidents – but NY claims 7 unique sons! Three Who Re-Upped the Third Party Way #8, Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) was a New Yorker from the border of the Catskill and Adirondack … Continue reading

Posted in American Civil War, Chester Arthur, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Theodore Roosevelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Connection of Aaron Burr and Martin Van Buren

People love a good scandal true or false – but especially if it involves peccadilloes. Aaron Burr (1756-1836) Aaron Burr had an interesting, if volatile and suspect career. In more than 250 years, he has attracted an assortment of partisans … Continue reading

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Martin Van Buren: The Irony of 1840

8th POTUS Martin Van Buren is vaguely remembered today, but…. …he holds a few interesting distinctions. Born in 1782, he was the first President who was not born a British subject. He was the only President who learned another language … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

William Henry Harrison: The Windy Inaugural

William Henry Harrison was a well-known “dark horse” President – if such a thing is possible. WHH: Virginia Patrician Contrary to the myth, William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) was as well-born as any First Family of Virginia could be. His family … Continue reading

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1861: A Year of Six Presidents

Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861 set many precedents. Presidential Precedents. Abraham Lincoln was a President of many firsts: The first POTUS born west of the Appalachian Mountains (KY); the elected first from Illinois; the first elected by popular plurality in … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, John Tyler, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Carnival Campaign: A Book Review

A professional writer who chooses to write about history (as opposed to a professional historian who chooses to write) probably knows intuitively that picking the right subject is half the battle. Author Ronald G. Shafer, a long-time Wall Street Journal … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Recommended Reading, William Henry Harrison | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment