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.

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.

References

 Other websites 
 John C. Calhoun -Citizendium

Category:1782 births
Category:1850 deaths
Category:Politicians from South Carolina
Category:United States Secretaries of State
Category:United States Secretaries of War
Category:19th-century American politicians
Category:Vice presidents of the United States