John C. Calhoun's significance in the realm of letters is threefold. First, he successfully combined a career of political action with political thought and expression of a high order, in which he resembles the generation of Founding Fathers more than his own or later generations of statesmen. Second, his thought, particularly the part that has usually been summed up as "the theory of the concurrent majority" or "the defense of minority rights," has been perceived by observers of diverse times and viewpoints as including elements of enduring value. Finally, Calhoun was one of the most profound contemporary dissidents from the intellectual main themes of his own time.

From 1811 to 1850--as a representative from South Carolina, secretary of war, vice president for two terms, presidential candidate on two occasions, secretary of state, and senator for fifteen years--Calhoun was a political figure of national power and prominence. Although never predominant...