1782-1862. 8th president of the USA, a
Democrat, born in Kinderhook, New York, of
Dutch ancestry. He was a senator 1821-28,
governor of New York State 1828-29, secretary
of state 1829-31, minister to Britain
1831-33, vice president 1833-37, and
president 1837-41. He initiated the
independent treasury system, but his refusal
to spend land revenues cost him the 1840
election. He lost the 1844 Democratic
nomination to Polk, and in 1848 ran
unsuccessfully for president as the Free Soil
candidate.