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The Assassination Attempt on Andrew Jackson: A Hero’s Narrow Escape
On a cold January day in 1835, Andrew Jackson—President of the United States—became the target of the first recorded assassination attempt on a sitting U.S. president. At 67 years old, Jackson, often dubbed “King Andrew” by his political opponents, was no stranger to violence. A seasoned military leader, he had earned fame as a Major General in the Tennessee Militia and as the Hero of the Battle of New Orleans. His rugged past also included surviving two duels, the scars of which remained in the form of shrapnel lodged in his chest.

The Attack
Earlier in the day, Jackson had attended the funeral of South Carolina Representative Warren Davis. As he and other mourners left the ceremony, the President was approached by a man who appeared to be a stranger—an unemployed house painter by the name of Richard Lawrence. Without uttering a word, Lawrence suddenly pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Jackson. The weapon misfired, its hammer clicking on an empty chamber. Jackson, quick to realize what had happened, reacted instantly.

The aging president, no stranger to combat, raised his walking cane and proceeded to strike Lawrence in an attempt to subdue him. In the midst of the scuffle, Lawrence managed to draw a second pistol, attempting another shot at Jackson. But fate intervened once more—the second gun misfired as well. With Jackson still standing, his aides rushed to his side and were able to break up the struggle, overpowering Lawrence and securing the would-be assassin.

A Close Call
Miraculously, Jackson walked away unscathed, but the shock of the attempt left him visibly shaken and angered. The incident left many wondering whether the attack was the work of a wider conspiracy—perhaps orchestrated by Jackson’s political enemies. However, an investigation revealed that Richard Lawrence was mentally unstable, and the assassination attempt was deemed the act of an individual suffering from delusions. Lawrence was subsequently committed to a mental institution, where he would spend the rest of his life.

The Aftermath and Legacy
Although the attack on Jackson was ultimately not part of a broader conspiracy, it was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of U.S. presidents to public violence. At the time, the notion of presidential security was a relatively unaddressed issue. It wasn’t until the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865—thirty years later—that the need for formalized protection for the president became a pressing concern.

The attempt on Jackson’s life, however, did little to dampen his fiery spirit. His quick reaction, along with the bravery he displayed in defending himself, added to his legendary status as a man who had lived through countless battles and triumphed over adversity. While the assassination attempt did not succeed, it left an indelible mark on the history of presidential security, revealing how vulnerable even the most powerful men in the nation could be.

Sources

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Andrew Jackson narrowly escapes assassination | January 30, 1835. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/andrew-jackson-narrowly-escapes-assassination

The attempt to kill “king andrew.” U.S. Senate: The Attempt to Kill “King Andrew.” (2023, September 8). https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Attempt_to_kill_King_Andrew.htm

Magazine, S. (2017, March 14). The attempted assassination of Andrew Jackson. Smithsonian.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/attempted-assassination-andrew-jackson-180962526/