Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Barnburner \Barn"burn`er\, n. [So called in allusion to the
   fable of the man who burned his barn in order to rid it of
   rats.]
   A member of the radical section of the Democratic party in
   New York, about the middle of the 19th century, which was
   hostile to extension of slavery, public debts, corporate
   privileges, etc., and supported Van Buren against Cass for
   president in 1848; -- opposed to {Hunker}. [Political Cant,
   U. S.]

Source : WordNet®

barnburner
     n 1: someone who burns down a barn
     2: a impressively successful event; "the rock concert was a
        real barnburner"