It’s no coincidence that Donald Trump was the first president to openly admire Andrew Jackson. The man on the $20 bill is one of the most divisive figures in the history of US politics. He also has one of the most fascinating life stories you’ll ever hear…

Born in the colonial Carolinas, Jackson had a harsh upbringing. At just 14 years old, he’s captured by the British and contracts smallpox while suffering starvation and abuse. Within a matter of months, Jackson remains the only member of his family still alive.

At 21, Jackson moves to Nashville in order to practice law. This is when he begins to move up the political ranks, gradually becoming a state representative and a judge. But what really makes Jackson’s name is his reputation as a fighter...

One of the biggest criticisms of Jackson is his temper. He’s so combative that he takes part in nearly 100 duels, according to some estimates, and even gets a bullet lodged beside his heart. If Jackson felt that his authority was being questioned, he had to fight – and win.

As the Major General of Tennessee's state military, Jackson wins a string of clashes against Native Americans, as well as the Battle of New Orleans against the British. The latter is a pivotal achievement, effectively ending the war of 1812 and earning the US full independence.

After becoming a senator for a second time, Jackson decides to run for president in 1824. He actually wins the most votes, but not enough for a majority. The House of Representatives gets the final call and they hand the presidency to his opponent, John Quincy Adams.

Infuriated, Jackson runs again four years later. This time he orchestrates a grassroots campaign that takes aim at corrupt and privileged political insiders. He appeals to the working class by positioning himself as a self-made man and war hero. And guess what? It works.

Jackson’s victory makes history in more ways than one. Up to that point, it wasn’t customary for presidential candidates to campaign – let alone to spin hyperbolic narratives or fight dirty. This moment transforms US politics and marks the beginning of “true majority rule”.

Jackson’s feisty personality is partly rooted in social insecurity. Although in one sense he represents the South’s slave-owning gentry, he’s also an outsider who never forgets his humble beginnings – and that makes him self-conscious.

Even so, Jackson is shrewd enough to use his reputation to outwit opponents. The push and pull of his most famous characteristics – the hair-trigger temper and calculated farsightedness – would shape a complex legacy unlike any other.