1782 – 1850

John C. Calhoun

vice president of the United States from 1825 to 1832 (1782–1850)

diplomatjuristpoliticianvice presidentlawyer

Born

1782-03-18, Abbeville

Died

1850-03-31

Birthplace state

South Carolina

Biography

John Caldwell Calhoun was an American statesman and political theorist who served as the seventh vice president of the United States from 1825 to 1832. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer and proponent of a strong federal government and protective tariffs. In the late 1820s, his views shifted, and he became a leading proponent of states' rights, limited government, nullification, and opposition to high tariffs, and distinguished himself as an outspoken defender of American slavery. Calhoun saw Northern acceptance of those policies as a condition of the South remaining in the Union. His beliefs heavily influenced the South's secession from the Union in 1860 and 1861. Calhoun was the first of two vice presidents to resign from the position, the second being Spiro Agnew, who resigned in 1973.

Occupation

John C. Calhoun is recorded as a diplomat, a jurist, a politician, a vice president, a lawyer and a writer, born in South Carolina (1782–1850).

Connections to South Carolina

John C. Calhoun was born in Abbeville, South Carolina in 1782. Explore other notable figures from South Carolina, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from South Carolina›South Carolinahistory ›Historic sites in South Carolina›

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Abbeville

John C. Calhoun came from Abbeville. A full Aubrey report on Abbeville pulls together everything the historical record holds about that place, from the first settlers to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Abbeville report

Or see a real report first

More notable figures from South Carolina

Other historical figures born in South Carolina, ranked by historical prominence.

Andrew Jackson

president of the United States from 1829 to 1837

James Brown

American musician (1933–2006)

Charles Hard Townes

20th-century American physicist

Chadwick Boseman

American actor (1976–2020)

Eartha Kitt

American singer and actress (1927–2008)

Joe Frazier

American boxer (1944–2011)

Jesse Jackson

American Baptist minister, activist, civil rights leader, politician, and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition (1941–2026)

Frequently asked about John C. Calhoun

Who was John C. Calhoun?

John C. Calhoun was vice president of the United States from 1825 to 1832 (1782–1850), born in South Carolina (1782 – 1850).

When and where was John C. Calhoun born?

John C. Calhoun was born on 1782-03-18 in Abbeville.

When did John C. Calhoun die?

John died on 1850-03-31.

What was John C. Calhoun known for?

John C. Calhoun is recorded as a diplomat, a jurist, a politician, a vice president, a lawyer and a writer.

Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your location View a free sample report