John Van Buren

John Van Buren (February 18, 1810 – October 13, 1866) was an American lawyer, government official, and politician. He was the son of President Martin Van Buren and Hannah (née Hoes) Van Buren. Born in Hudson, Columbia County, New York, Van Buren graduated from Yale College in 1828. He studied law under Benjamin F. Butler and Aaron Vanderpoel and was admitted to the bar in 1830.

In 1831 and 1832, Van Buren served as secretary of the United States legation in London while his father was appointed U.S. Minister to Britain. The appointment was not confirmed by Congress, leading him to return to the United States later that year. Subsequently, he established a law practice in Albany, New York, with James McKown. From 1838 to 1839, Van Buren traveled in England, including attending the coronation of Queen Victoria, and was present at royal functions. He was nicknamed "Prince John" by contemporary newspapers after dancing with Queen Victoria at an 1838 ball.

On June 22, 1841, Van Buren married Elizabeth Vanderpoel, his childhood sweetheart and niece of Aaron Vanderpoel. They had one daughter, Anna Van Buren, born in 1842. Elizabeth Vanderpoel died in 1844, and Van Buren did not remarry.

Van Buren served as the Attorney General of New York from 1845 to 1847. During his tenure, he prosecuted leaders of the Anti-Rent War, a dispute involving tenants on the estates of the Van Rensselaer family. The anti-renters challenged the landowners' claims based on lifetime leases and unpaid rent, leading to a series of legal and violent confrontations. Van Buren's involvement included a notable incident where he engaged physically with defense attorney Ambrose L. Jordan during a trial, resulting in both being sentenced to jail for a day, with the judge later pardoning the defendant, Smith A. Boughton.

He also prosecuted William Freeman for the murder of four members of the Van Nest family in Cayuga County. Freeman was found guilty in 1846, and his death sentence was scheduled for September 1847, but he died in jail of tuberculosis before the execution could be carried out.

Following his service as Attorney General, Van Buren practiced law in New York City. He gained recognition as a trial attorney known for his memory for details and oratorical skills. He also represented actor Edwin Forrest in a highly publicized divorce case.

In the political realm, Van Buren was a leader of the Barnburner faction of the Democratic Party in 1848, which opposed the nomination of Lewis Cass. He played a key role in supporting Martin Van Buren's candidacy for president under the banner of the Barnburners and the Free Soil Party. Although Van Buren was not expected to win, his candidacy helped influence the election outcome by drawing votes in New York that contributed to Zachary Taylor’s victory.

In 1865, Van Buren again sought the office of New York State Attorney General as a Democrat, but was defeated by Republican John H. Martindale. The following year, he traveled extensively through Europe, visiting countries including England, Sweden, Norway, and Russia, with his daughter and niece.

Van Buren died from kidney disease on October 13, 1866, at sea near Cape Race, Newfoundland, while traveling from Liverpool to New York City aboard the steamship Scotia. There was a storm after his death, and the crew initially considered casting his body into the sea, but the captain refused. The ship arrived in Manhattan, where funeral services were held at Grace Church. Van Buren was later buried at Albany Rural Cemetery, Section 62, in Albany, New York.

There is a different individual named John Van Buren, son of President Van Buren, born in 1810 and died in 1866, often confused with Judge and Congressman John Van Buren of Kingston, New York, who was born in 1799 and died in 1855.