People And Biographies

INTRODUCTION
George Washington (1732-1799), first president of the United States (1789-1797) and one of the most important leaders in United States history. His role in gaining independence for the American colonies and later in unifying them under the new U.S. federal government cannot be overestimated. Laboring against great difficulties, he created the Continental Army, which fought [...]

I  INTRODUCTION
Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), eighth president of the United States (1837-1841) and the first president born after the United States won its independence. He was regarded by his contemporaries as such a wily and artful politician that they dubbed him the “Little Magician” and the “Red Fox of Kinderhook.” However, these unflattering nicknames [...]

I  INTRODUCTION
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), seventh president of the United States (1829-1837) and the first Westerner to be elected president. His election marked the end of a political era dominated by the planter aristocracy of Virginia and the commercial aristocracy of New England. Jackson himself was an aristocrat, but from a rougher mold than his [...]

I  INTRODUCTION
John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), sixth president of the United States (1825-1829), who devoted his life and his great ability to serving the people of the United States. Of the 81 years he lived, 50 were spent in public office. His service ended only with his death at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. [...]