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American statesman, born in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He settled in Tennessee, where he studied law and was elected to the legislature. In the War of 1812 he raised a regiment of volunteers and also served on the staff of General Andrew Jackson, later president of the U.S. Afterward Benton established a newspaper in St. Louis, Missouri. From 1821 to 1851 he was U.S. senator from Missouri, and later served (1853-55) in the House of Representatives. In the Senate he was a determined opponent of nullification. After Jackson became president, Benton supported his campaign against the United States Bank and earned the nickname Old Bullion by his opposition to paper currency. Led an attack against the Bank saying that the institution had been involved in many and imaginary wrong doings. One of which was the Banks use of the branch draft system. (See Benton's attack)