Richard Mentor Johnson was born on October 17, 1780, in Kentucky. He was a lawyer, soldier, and politician who served as the ninth Vice President of the United States under President Martin Van Buren from 1837 to 1841. Johnson was also a U.S. senator and congressman and was known for his military service during the War of 1812, where he claimed to have killed the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. He remained active in Kentucky politics until his death on November 19, 1850.