Martin Van Buren served as the eighth President of the United States from 1837 to 1841. Born in Kinderhook, New York, in 1782, he was the first president born as a citizen of the United States rather than a British subject.
A Democrat and close ally of Andrew Jackson, Van Buren had served as governor of New York, secretary of state, and vice president.
Key Moments
Weeks after he took office, the Panic of 1837 triggered a long economic depression. He responded by proposing an independent treasury to hold federal funds apart from private banks. He lost reelection in 1840 to William Henry Harrison.
Did You Know
Van Buren grew up speaking Dutch at home, making him the only president whose first language was not English. Supporters called him Old Kinderhook, a nickname often linked to the spread of the word OK.
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