Van Buren, Martin, entry in Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edition

What it is

This is an entry on Martin Van Buren written by William MacDonald for the 11th edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, published in 1911. It is a reference article. It states that Van Buren was born at Kinderhook, New York, on December 5, 1782, of Dutch descent, and describes his father as a farmer and tavern-keeper. It is listed on Wikisource under works about Van Buren.

Why it matters

This article connects Van Buren's early life to the politics of his state. It describes his schooling and his study of law with William Peter Van Ness, who was later Aaron Burr's second in the duel with Alexander Hamilton. It also notes that New York politics after 1800 were bitter and personal, with Republicans divided into factions. These links show readers the wider network of people and rivalries that shaped Van Buren's career.

Look closer

• Which people does the article connect to Van Buren, and why does the writer name them?
• What does the article say about the state of New York politics, and what evidence does it give?
• Who wrote the entry, and how might an encyclopedia writer choose which facts to repeat from earlier sources?