Martin Van Buren
(1782-1862)
WHO SHE WAS:
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States, a key organizer of the Democratic Party, and a principal architect of American political organization during the early 19th century. Before his presidency, he served as the Secretary of State and the Vice President under Andrew Jackson, playing a critical role in establishing the Jacksonian democracy.
WHAT HE SAID:
"It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't."
WHY HE MATTERED:
Van Buren was significant for his adeptness at building coalitions and managing the intricacies of political operations. His presidency was marked by the Panic of 1837, an economic crisis whose origins and repercussions highlighted the complexities of the financial systems of the time. Despite his political acumen, his tenure was overshadowed by the financial panic and the subsequent depression.