12. Andrew Jackson
SRI Ranking: 9
Brookings Institution Ranking: 14
Among other things he achieved in his presidency, one thing ranks Andrew Jackson above all other past (and quite probably future ones as well) presidents. In 1835 he managed to pay off the entire US national debt. Although the achievement was short-lived and the Panic of 1837 forced the government to borrow money again, it is quite an achievement. He also holds the record for duels among presidents, having fought in at least 13 of them, with the most famous being against Charles Dickinson.
