Meet the 5 Presidents Who Were Born in New York State

A total of 45 men have been elected President of the United States. They all come from different states around the country. There were four presidents born in Massachusetts and eight presidents born in Virginia, which is the most out of any state. When it comes to the grand state of New York, five men have hailed from here. 

Let’s explore all five presidents who were born in New York. We will also briefly highlight where they were born and their presidencies.

Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, NY, on December 5, 1782. He was the only president whose first language was not English, but Dutch. Van Buren served as the 8th President of the United States from 1837 to 1841. He died on July 24th, 1862, in Kinderhook, NY (aged 79). Van Buren was known as one of the first democratic presidents, vice president to Andrew Jackson, and a War Democrat who supported Republican President Abraham Lincoln’s policies. Furthermore, Van Buren served as Governor of New York in 1829, Secretary of State from 1829 to 1831, and Minister to the United Kingdom from 1831 to 1832.

Where Was He Born?

Kinderhook is a village that has a population of 1,211 people and it is located in southeastern New York. Kinderhook was established as a Dutch settlement even though Native Americans were living in the area. The Village was named Kinderhook because Henry Hudson saw Native American children playing in the area, and Kinderhook means “children’s corner” in Dutch.

Van Buren Presidency Highlighting Legislation

Let’s take a look at President Van Buren’s highlighting legislation in his presidency.

• Van Buren opposed the annexation of Texas as a slave state.
• The Panic of 1837 created havoc and Van Buren proposed an independent treasury along with a divorce of banks.
• Continues the Indian Removal Act of 1830 that was started under Jackson.

Millard Fillmore

Millard Fillmore was born on January 7, 1800, in Moravia, NY. Fillmore served as the 13th President of the United States from 1850 to 1853. He was Vice President of the United States under Zachary Taylor, but when Taylor died unexpectedly on July 9, 1850, Fillmore assumed the presidency. Fillmore died on March 8, 1874, in Buffalo, NY (aged 74). He is regarded as one of the least memorable of US presidents.

Where Was He Born?

Moravia is a town located in Upstate New York with a population of 3,600. Native Americans lived in the area when the first European settlers arrived in 1789. Fascinatingly enough, the Whig party was strong in Moravia and there were a few voters still part of that political party even in the late 1980s. 

Fillmore Presidency Highlighting Legislation

Let’s take a look at President Fillmore’s highlighting legislation in his presidency.

• Fillmore supported the Compromise of 1850 and ensured its passing.
• The Fugitive Slave Act passes and Fillmore chooses to enforce it.
• Fillmore seeks to establish trade relations with Japan.

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27th, 1858, in New York City, NY. He served as the 26th President of the United States from September 14, 1901 to March 4, 1909. He is one of the handful of presidents who became president after an assassination. William McKinley was assassinated in September 1901 and because Theodore Roosevelt was serving as Vice president, he assumed the presidency. Roosevelt died on January 6, 1919, in Oyster Bay, NY (aged 60). Theodore Roosevelt was a known conservationist and explorer who created the National Park system. Furthermore, he is considered one of the best presidents in history.

Where Was He Born?

New York City is arguably the most famous city in the world. It is also the most populous city in the United States with a population of more than 8.4 million. There are several sites in New York City that tourists flock to see including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.

Roosevelt Presidency Highlighting Legislation

Let’s take a look at President Roosevelt’s highlighting legislation in his presidency.

• Enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act to ensure there were no monopolizing companies.
• He sought to increase pay for workers and bring about fair pay.
• Passed the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 which established the FDA, but also ensured all foods were processed properly and were regulated.
• Ensured Panama its independence from Colombia and got the Panama Canal built.
• Established the US Forest Service and the National Conservation Commission.
• Brought about peace in the Russo-Japanese War, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, also known as FDR, was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, NY. He served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 to 1945. He is one of the few presidents to die in office. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, in Warm Springs, GA (aged 63). FDR was the only President who served more than two terms, for a total of four terms in office. Serving through the Great Depression and World War II, historians consistently rank him as the best or second-best president in American history.

Where Was He Born?

Hyde Park is a town that sits on the Hudson River, a few miles north of New York City. The main campus of The Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park. The town currently has a population of about 21,000 people.

FDR Presidency Highlighting Legislation

Let’s take a look at FDR’s highlighting legislation in his presidency.

• Implemented New Deal policies, which established numerous programs that put people back to work and spurred the economy.
• Established several agencies and programs that were and are monumental to this day including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Social Security.
• After the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, the US waged war against Japan, Germany, and Italy, and was instrumental in the Allies defeating the Axis powers.
• Was instrumental in establishing the United Nations and post-war creations.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, NY. He served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He is one of several presidents who lost the popular vote but won the electoral vote, thus becoming president. Trump is also the only president to have been impeached twice by the US House of Representatives. Moreover, Trump is the leading Republican candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election. He was also indicted for inciting an insurrection against the US Capitol to overthrow the 2020 election. Historians consistently rank Trump as one of the worst presidents in American history.

Where Was He Born?

Queens is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It has a population of 2.4 million. Established in 1683, Queens was named after the English Queen at the time, Catherine of Braganza.

Trump Presidency Highlighting Legislation

Let’s take a look at President Hoover’s highlighting legislation in his presidency.

• Trump instituted a travel ban on many Muslim nations.
• He ensured military funding was redirected to building a border wall on the US-Mexico Border.
• Trump enacted tax cuts for many businesses and people, especially the wealthy.
• He withdrew the US from the Paris climate change agreement (although Biden signed an executive order to join once more).

Conclusion

And there you have it, those are the five presidents born in New York. Although Virginia holds the record for having the most presidents born in a state, New York is up there in those ranks, holding third place. Moreover, the state has played a pivotal role in American presidential politics throughout history, and New York City continues to be the beaming star of the country. As for the five presidents from the Empire State, some of them are ranked in the top ten consistently and others are considered terrible.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/BonneChance