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Nicknames
Members are formally addressed as "Representative" or "the Honorable," but some Members have been known by a nickname, such as "Cactus Jack," or by an epithet, such as "Father of the Constitution." As you can see from the following list, a few of the Members' nicknames have been especially creative.

John Quincy Adams - Old Man Eloquent

Thomas Hart Benton - Old Bullion

James Buchanan - Old Buck

Joe Cannon - Uncle Joe

Samuel Cox - Sunset Cox

John Nance Garner - Cactus Jack

William Henry Harrison - Old Tippecanoe

Andrew Jackson - Old Hickory

Abraham Lincoln - Honest Abe

James Madison - Father of the Constitution

James Polk - Young Hickory

Sam Rayburn - Mr. Sam

Thomas Brackett Reed - Czar Reed

Daniel Webster - Old Roman




Challenge Question icon  

Challenge Question
Research one of the Representatives above, and find out how that Member earned his nickname!
 
 

 
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A Little Known Fact
What is an "engrossed" bill? Find out in How A Bill Becomes a Law.

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Use the glossary to learn key terms.

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