He was a Democrat Lawyer. He served in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. He was a member of Tennessee state house of representatives, 1815-16. He was U.S. Senator from Tennessee, 1818-21, 1821-29. He was U.S. Secretary of War, 1829-31. He was Governor of Florida Territory, 1834-36. He was U.S. Minister to Spain, 1836-40.
He was a Freemason. He resigned from Cabinet in 1831 over a scandal concerning his second wife, Peggy. He died in Washington, D.C, November 17, 1856. He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Eaton County, Michigan is named for him. See also: congressional biography.