Jackson, ANDREW (1767-1845), an American statesman, seventh president of the United States, born in North Carolina. His father, a Scotchman, died before the birth of his child, leaving him to the care of a poor but indulgent mother. In his fourteenth year, near the close of the American Revolution, Andrew joined the regiment of volunteers to fight in the cause of independence. He lost two brothers in the struggle and finally retired from military service, devoting himself intermittently to the study of law. He was not a great lawyer, but as public prosecutor in the district now known as Tennessee, he gained many friends by his honest and resolute policy. He became a judge of the district supreme court, representative in Congress and United States senator, but resigned the last office after only a few months. When in 1812 war was declared against England, Jackson offered his services at the head of 2500 Tennessee militiamen and was made major general of volunteers. He went to the front, but after a few months was dismissed without pay for himself or his men and returned to Tennessee. In 1813 he was again commissioned, and he defeated the Creek indians, who had long been wasting the country with fire and sword. He was then made major general in the regular army and soon after attacked and captured Pensacola, without orders. In January, 1815, he established his military reputation by the repulse of an elaborate British attack upon New Orleans. His arbitrary proceedings, however, aroused disapproval, and he was condemned to pay a heavy fine, which, however, was remitted thirty years later by Congress. In 1817 he again proceeded against the Seminole indians, but again incurred popular disapproval by excessive severity and disregard of international usage in the execution of two British subjects in Florida. In 1821 he was appointed governor of the newly acquired Territory of Florida, and two years later he was elected to the United States Senate from Tennessee, at the same time being nominated for president by the state legislature. The contest for the presidency was exceedingly bitter, and four candidates received electoral votes, Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford and Henry Clay, in the order named. No one had a majority, however, and the House of Representatives elected Adams. Four years later, in one of the most bitter contests in American history, Jackson was elected, and he was reelected in 1832 over the Whig candidate, Henry Clay. The election of Jackson to the presidency marks an important epoch in American political history, as he was the first real representative of the so-called "common people." During his administration the spirit of democracy was given a tremendous impulse throughout the country. The first important event during his term was his removal of public officers upon the ground of their political affiliations, in accordance with the doctrine enunciated by his friend Marcy, that "to the victors belong the spoils of the vanquished" (See CIVIL SERVICE AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM). He also vetoed the United States Bank charter and thus precipitated a long contest; and he crushed the nullification movement in South Carolina by a prompt and vigorous display of Federal authority. During the contest over the national bank, which extended throughout his second administration, a resolution of censure was passed upon President Jackson, which was not repealed until 1837. It was during Jackson's administration also that the question of slavery first became a prominent factor in politics. Upon retiring from office, he returned to his home near Nashville, which he called the "Hermitage." Jackson was one of the most forceful personalities in American history. Though not a deep thinker, when action was called for he administered affairs with vigor and discretion. Consult Sumner's Andrew Jackson, in American Statesmen Series; also Parton's Life of Andrew Jackson.