Calhoun refers to John C. Calhoun, an influential American politician and statesman from the early 19th century. He served as the seventh Vice President of the United States under both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Calhoun was a strong advocate for states' rights and played a significant role in the development of the Democratic Party. In addition to his vice presidency, Calhoun was a prominent senator from South Carolina and held various cabinet positions. He is known for his defense of slavery and his belief in the doctrine of nullification, which argued that states could invalidate federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.