Martin Van Buren

Known as “the Little Magician” for his skill in adroitly navigating the political landscape, Martin Van Buren rose to prominence through a series of elective offices in New York State. After serving as vice president during Andrew Jackson’s second term (1833–37), he was elected president in 1836.
By one account, Van Buren kept his portrait appointment with Brady even though a terrible storm was raging. When Brady asked the former president why he had braved such weather to come to the gallery, Van Buren declared that he never broke an engagement if it were at all possible to keep it.