Van Buren Street is named after Martin Van Buren (born December 5, 1782; died July 24, 1862), the eighth President of the United States, from 1837-1841.
Before his presidency, Van Buren served as the eighth Vice President and the tenth Secretary of State under Andrew Jackson. He was also the prime architect of the first nationwide political party: the Jacksonian Democrats.
Van Buren was known as "the Little Magician" for his remarkable political skills.
Although he opposed the admission of Missouri as a slave state, Van Buren was a slave owner.