Donelson, Andrew Jackson definition of Donelson, Andrew Jackson in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Donelson, Andrew Jackson (dŏn`əlsən), 1799–1871, American politician, b. Cumberland region of Tennessee. He was brought up at the Hermitage by his uncle, Andrew Jackson. After graduating from West Point he accompanied Jackson as aide-de-camp in the Seminole campaign. He practiced law in Nashville, but again aided Jackson as private secretary in the presidential campaigns of 1824 and 1828. After Jackson's election to the presidency Donelson was his private secretary, and Mrs. Donelson was Jackson's hostess at the White House. Her refusal to accept Mrs. J. H. Eaton (see O'Neill, Margaret O'Neill, Margaret (Peggy O'Neill), c.1796–1879, wife of John Henry Eaton , U.S. Secretary of War under President Andrew Jackson. She was the daughter of a Washington tavern keeper and married John Timberlake, a purser in the U.S. navy.
..... Click the link for more information. ) socially led to a temporary estrangement between uncle and nephew, but Jackson found himself in need of Donelson's aid and recalled him. In 1844, Donelson was sent as chargé d'affaires to the Republic of Texas to conduct negotiations for annexation. After his success in this mission he served (1846–49) as minister to Prussia. In 1856 he ran for Vice President as the Know-Nothing candidate.