Andrew Jackson America’s Plain and Simple President

Childhood Scotch-Irish parents Birthplace in the Carolinas Last of three children Orphaned at the age of twelve

EDUCATION Had little education Read law books as a teenager Had no formal college education Became a popular lawyer

Early Career Began as a school teacher Practiced law in Tennessee Became Tennessee’s first congressman Served in military at the Battle of New Orleans

Family Life Native of back country Appalachia Presbyterian religious profession Married to Rachel Donelson (died before his inauguration) No biological children Adopted wife’s nephew as heir

Political Career First Tennessean elected to House of Representatives Major General in the War of 1812 Short stint in the Senate Justice of the Tennessee Superior Court Two terms as President of the United States

“Old Hickory” Fought the British at the Battle of New Orleans Won decisively Refused to disband troops at Natchez, Mississippi Inherited the name “Old Hickory” for his strong discipline

A Man of Firsts First Populist President not from aristocracy First candidate to be nominated at a national convention First President to marry a divorcee First to use “Kitchen Cabinet” of advisors First to use the pocket veto

Later Years Appointed Roger Taney to Supreme Court Described as a “loyal friend” and a “fierce enemy” Gave permission for immigration restrictions Ignored Georgia’s eviction of Cherokee Indians Retired to the Hermitage/ Nashville, Tennessee Died in 1845

Sonnet by Andrew Jackson March 4, 1839 Come, stand the nearest to thy country’s sire Then fearless man, of uncorrupted heart! Well worthy universal praise thou art, And twill be thine when slumbers party ire. Raised by the voice of free men, to a height Sublimer for them Kings by birth may claim, Raised thy stern, unselfish spirit dared the right, And battled ‘gainst the wrong; thy holiest aim Was freedom in the largest sense, despite Misconstrued motives and unmeasured blame. Above disguise; in purpose firm and pure; Just two opposers and to friends sincere; Thy worth shall with thy country’s name endure, And greener grow thy fame through every coming year.

Works Cited Pictures courtesy of Library of Congress/ American Memory Collection Sonnet by Andrew Jackson retrieved from Library of Congress (reference to be added using APA style) American Presidents Life Portraits. (1999). Retrieved November 16, 2003 from umber=7.