American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

Andrew Jackson, the subject of Meacham’s biography and the seventh president of the United States, was born on March 15, 1767, in the Waxhaw region on the border between North and South Carolina. His father died before he was born, and his mother, Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson, instilled in him values of independence and resilience before she passed away while tending to American prisoners during the American Revolution.

Jackson first gained national fame as a military leader during the War of 1812, where he earned the nickname “Old Hickory” for his toughness and aggressive leadership style. His victory at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 made him a national hero and cemented his reputation as a staunch defender of American interests. Jackson’s military exploits extended beyond the War of 1812, including roles in conflicts with Indigenous tribes, particularly the Creek War, and later the First Seminole War in Florida.

Entering politics, Jackson was a US Senator and a military governor of Florida before running for the presidency. His first presidential bid in 1824 ended in a controversial loss to John Quincy Adams, though Jackson won the popular vote. During his presidency from 1829 to 1837, Jackson contributed significantly to the Expansion of Executive Power even as he adopted a populist approach. He positioned himself as a champion of the common people, opposing what he viewed as the entrenched interests of the elite. In Meacham’s account, this stance is particularly evident in Jackson’s fight against the Second Bank of the United States, which Jackson viewed as a bastion of corruption and privilege. One of the most controversial aspects of Jackson’s presidency was his policy toward Indigenous Americans. His support for the Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced relocation of thousands of Indigenous Americans from their ancestral lands, most notably the Cherokee, in what became known as the Trail of Tears.

In his personal life, Jackson was devoted to his wife, Rachel Donelson Jackson. Her death shortly before he assumed the presidency deeply affected him. After leaving office, Jackson retired to his estate, the Hermitage, in Tennessee, where he remained active in political affairs, advising his successors and continuing to influence national politics. He remained a prominent figure until his death on June 8, 1845.

Emily Donelson served as the White House hostess and acting first lady. Born Emily Tennessee Donelson in 1807, she was the niece of Jackson’s wife, Rachel, and married her cousin, Andrew Jackson Donelson, who was Jackson’s personal secretary. Emily Donelson’s role as the White House hostess began after Rachel Jackson’s death, just before Jackson took office.

Emily’s charm, intelligence, and social grace made her a capable and popular hostess, though her tenure was not without its challenges, most notably during the Eaton Affair. Her position required her to navigate the social dynamics of Washington, where she initially sided with the wives of other cabinet members, including Floride Calhoun, in ostracizing Margaret Eaton, wife of Secretary of War John Eaton. This put her at odds with Jackson, who was fiercely protective of Margaret and demanded that his associates’ wives accept her socially. Emily’s initial resistance to Jackson’s directive strained her relationship with her uncle, and she was temporarily exiled from Washington. Emily Donelson’s health began to decline in the mid-1830s. In 1836, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and returned to Tennessee, hoping to recuperate, but her condition worsened, severely affecting her strength and ability to perform her duties. Her death at the age of 29 was a significant loss for Jackson. Jackson mourned her passing, seeing her as not just a family member but as a vital part of his administration and personal support system. This response reflects Emily’s broader role in Meacham’s account: to highlight the extent to which the political and personal were intertwined for Jackson.

Andrew Donelson was Jackson’s nephew and part of his inner circle. He was born on August 25, 1799, in Sumner County, Tennessee. Following the death of their father, Andrew and his siblings were taken in by Jackson and raised at the Hermitage, Jackson’s estate in Tennessee. When Jackson became president in 1829, Andrew joined him in Washington, DC, as his personal secretary. In this role, he managed the president’s correspondence, advised on political matters, and served as a liaison between Jackson and other political figures. He was heavily involved in managing the day-to-day affairs of the White House and played a crucial role in political strategy and communications. His diplomatic skills were tested during the Nullification Crisis, where he helped Jackson navigate the conflict with South Carolina over states’ rights and federal authority. In the Eaton Affair, Andrew stood by his wife and opposed Jackson, which caused tension between them. Meacham’s portrayal of Andrew, like his portrayal of Emily, therefore serves in part to showcase the intersection of the public and private during Jackson’s presidency.

After Jackson’s presidency, Andrew continued to serve in various political and diplomatic roles. In his later years, he faced personal and financial difficulties. His farming ventures in Tennessee and Mississippi faced numerous setbacks, and he struggled with debt. During the Civil War, his loyalties were divided, reflecting the broader conflict within Tennessee, a border state with both Union and Confederate sympathies. He died on June 26, 1871, in Memphis, Tennessee, and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

Margaret O’Neale Timberlake Eaton was the controversial wife of Jackson’s secretary of war, Major John Henry Eaton. Born on December 3, 1799, in Washington, DC, Margaret was the daughter of William O’Neale, a prominent tavern owner whose establishment was frequented by many political figures of the day. This brought Margaret into contact with Washington’s elite, and as a young woman, she gained a reputation for her beauty, vivacity, and charm. Her first marriage was to John B. Timberlake, a navy purser who struggled with debt and died under controversial circumstances in 1828. Margaret’s close association with John Henry Eaton, a longtime friend of Jackson and a widower, led to their marriage on January 1, 1829, shortly after Timberlake’s death. This rapid remarriage fueled rumors and suspicions that she might have been involved with Eaton before her former husband’s death. The ensuing scandal—the “Eaton Affair”—plagued Jackson’s presidency and is the principal reason for Margaret’s inclusion in the book.

After the Eaton Affair, Margaret’s husband was appointed as the governor of Florida Territory and later served as the US minister to Spain. Despite the temporary respite from Washington’s social scene, the Eatons’ later years were troubled by financial difficulties and personal strife. After John Eaton’s death in 1856, Margaret continued to face challenges, including a scandalous third marriage to a much younger Italian dance teacher, Antonio Buchignani, who later ran off with her granddaughter. Margaret returned to Washington, where she lived until her death on November 8, 1879.

Martin Van Buren was the eighth president of the United States and a member of Jackson’s inner circle. Serving first as Jackson’s secretary of state and later as his vice president, Van Buren was a close advisor and confidant to Jackson. He stood by Jackson during the Nullification Crisis and the fight against the Bank. During the Eaton Affair, his support for the Eatons earned him Jackson’s gratitude and trust. Van Buren was the one to propose that the entire Cabinet resign, allowing Jackson to reconfigure his administration and rid himself of the factionalism caused by the scandal. This maneuver not only resolved the immediate crisis but also elevated Van Buren’s standing with Jackson, who saw him as a steadfast ally and later supported his own bid for president.

John C. Calhoun was one of Jackson’s political opponents and thus serves as an antagonist in Meacham’s account of Jackson’s presidency. Initially serving as Jackson’s vice president, Calhoun’s relationship with Jackson soured over issues such as states’ rights and federal power. Calhoun was a staunch advocate of the doctrine of nullification, which asserted that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. This position put him in direct conflict with Jackson, who was a strong proponent of preserving the Union. Calhoun was also Jackson’s personal rival, as his wife, Floride, was one of the main instigators in isolating Margaret Eaton from Washington society. That Calhoun’s political opposition to Jackson coincided with personal friction underscores the overlap of these two spheres.

John Quincy Adams was the son of John Adams and the sixth president of the United States. Adams was one of Jackson’s opponents. Their rivalry began during the contentious election of 1824, which Jackson lost due to what Jackson and his supporters termed a “corrupt bargain” between Adams and Henry Clay. Adams continued his political career in the House of Representatives after his presidency, where he became a vocal critic of Jackson and his policies.