Martin Van Buren (; December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862) was an American politician who served as the eighthPresident of the United States (1837–41). A member of the Democratic Party, he served in a number of senior roles, including eighthVice President (1833–37) and Secretary of State (1829–31), both under Andrew Jackson. Van Buren's inability as president to deal with the economic chaos of the Panic of 1837 and with the surging Whig Party led to his defeat in the 1840 election.