"KITCHEN CABINET,"

"KITCHEN CABINET," a title derisively applied by President Andrew Jackson's political enemies to an informal group of advisers who were credited with exercising more influence on the president than his regular cabinet. From 1829 until 1831, when the cabinet was reorganized, the Kitchen Cabinet, or "lower cabinet," as it was often called, was especially influential. Thereafter, Jackson re-lied less on his informal advisers and more on regular members of the cabinet. The most important members of the Kitchen Cabinet were Amos Kendall, Francis Preston Blair, Sr., William B. Lewis, A. J. Donelson, Martin Van Buren, and John H. Eaton.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Latner, Richard B. "The Kitchen Cabinet and Andrew Jackson's Advisory System." Journal of American History 65 (September 1978): 367–388.

Erik McKinleyEriksson/l. t.

See alsoJacksonian Democracy ; President, U.S.

kitch·en cab·i·net • n. a group of unofficial advisers to the holder of an elected office who are considered to be unduly influential.