Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States, serving one term in office. He was born on December 5, 1782 in Kinderhook, New York and died of heart failure in 1862. His father was a tavern keeper and farmer. Van Buren was the first president born as a citizen of the U.S.A., as all previous presidents were born before the American Revolution.
Van Buren studied law and entered New York politics at the age of 17. He faithfully fulfilled his official duties for a decade and a half. His skill at gathering support for his party earned him the nickname "The Little Magician". In 1821, he was elected to the United States Senate representing New York. President Andrew Jackson rewarded Van Buren's loyalty by appointing him Secretary of State in 1829.
Van Buren's rise to the Presidency continued in 1833 when he was appointed Andrew Jackson's Vice President. Van Buren was President Jackson's first choice to take over from him from 1837. He easily won the 1836 election. Van Buren devoted his Inaugural Address to explaining how the American experiment and its prosperity was an example to the rest of the world.
His Presidency was largely dominated by the recession that followed the "Panic of 1837". Hundreds of banks and businesses failed. Thousands lost their land. It was the worst depression to hit America in its short history. Many blamed him for it and nicknamed him "Martin Van Ruin". He was voted out of office in 1840 and was an unsuccessful candidate for President as an independent in 1848. He died in 1862.
马丁·范布伦在担任美国总统时,主要是在经济衰退中度过的,这次的经济衰退发生在“1837年恐慌”之后。当时,数以百计的银行及公司倒闭,上千人失去自己的土地——这是出现在美国短暂历史上最严重的一次经济衰退。许多人责备马丁·范布伦,并给他起绰号为“马丁·范祸根”("Martin Van Ruin")。1840年,马丁·范布伦在美国总统大选中竞选失败,并卸任了美国总统的职务。1848年,作为一个独立的美国总统候选人,马丁·范布伦还是遭到了落选。1862年,马丁·范布伦逝世。