John C. Calhoun

John Caldwell Calhoun (March 18, 1782 – March 31, 1850) was an American politician who was the vice president of the United States for John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Calhoun was the vice president under two different presidents; the only other to do so was George Clinton. Calhoun's father was an Irish immigrant.

John C. Calhoun
7th Vice President of the United States
In office March 4, 1825 – December 28, 1832
President	John Quincy Adams (1825–1829) Andrew Jackson (1829–1832)
Preceded by	Daniel D. Tompkins
Succeeded by	Martin Van Buren
United States Senator from South Carolina
In office November 26, 1845 – March 31, 1850
Preceded by	Daniel Elliott Huger
Succeeded by	Franklin H. Elmore
In office December 29, 1832 – March 3, 1843
Preceded by	Robert Y. Hayne
Succeeded by	Daniel Elliott Huger
16th United States Secretary of State
In office April 1, 1844 – March 10, 1845
President	John Tyler James K. Polk
Preceded by	Abel P. Upshur
Succeeded by	James Buchanan
10th United States Secretary of War
In office December 8, 1817 – March 4, 1825
President	James Monroe
Preceded by	George Graham (Acting) William H. Crawford
Succeeded by	James Barbour
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 6th district
In office March 4, 1811 – November 3, 1817
Preceded by	Joseph Calhoun
Succeeded by	Eldred Simkins
Personal details
Born	John Caldwell Calhoun (1782-03-18)March 18, 1782 Abbeville, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	March 31, 1850(1850-03-31) (aged 68) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	St. Philip's Church
Political party	Democratic-Republican (Before 1828) Nullifier (1828–1839) Democratic (1839–1850)
Spouse(s)	Floride Bonneau ​ ​ (m. 1811)​
Children	10, including Anna Maria Calhoun Clemson
Parents	Patrick Calhoun Martha Caldwell
Education	Yale University Litchfield Law School
Signature

Calhoun was member of the House of Representatives and later the Senate from South Carolina. Calhoun, a slaveowner, strongly supported slavery and called it "a positive good" in a Senate speech in 1837.

Calhoun is probably best remembered for his strong support for slavery and nullification, which says any state has the right to reject a federal law if it is unconstitutional. President Jackson opposed nullification, and the disagreement started a feud between them. Calhoun was the first vice president in American history to resign from office, on December 28, 1832.

From 1844 to 1845, he became Secretary of State. He then returned to the Senate and represented his state until he died.

John C. Calhoun Media

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  Calhoun's wife, Floride Calhoun

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  Charles Bird King's 1822 portrait of Calhoun at the age of 40

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  State historic marker at Fort Hill, Calhoun's home from 1825 until his death in 1850

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  A portrait of Calhoun from 1834 by Rembrandt Peale

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  Calhoun, during his tenure as Secretary of State (April 1844 – March 1845)

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  Daguerreotype of Calhoun, c. 1843

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  Calhoun photographed by Mathew Brady in 1849, shortly before his death

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  Closeup of John C. Calhoun grave IMG 4649

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  George Peter Alexander Healy's 1851 painting of Calhoun at City Hall in Charleston, South Carolina

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  Calhoun's home, Fort Hill, on the grounds that became part of Clemson University, in Clemson, South Carolina

Other websites

• John C. Calhoun -Citizendium