Van Buren, Martin, entry in The New International Encyclopaedia

What it is

This is an entry on Martin Van Buren in The New International Encyclopaedia, published in New York by Dodd, Mead and Co. in 1905. It is a reference article, not a first-hand document. The entry begins by describing Van Buren as the eighth President of the United States, born at Kinderhook, New York, on December 5, 1782. It is listed on Wikisource under works about Van Buren.

Why it matters

Encyclopedia entries show how a period understood a historical figure after his time. This 1905 article covers Van Buren's early law practice, his service as surrogate and state senator, and his role as a leader of a Republican faction in New York. Reading it alongside earlier and later sources lets students compare how the standard story of a politician was told.

Look closer

• Which parts of Van Buren's career does the article emphasize, and which does it pass over quickly?
• Who wrote the entry, and what might a reference work need to keep short?
• How does this account compare with a primary source written by Van Buren or by someone who knew him?