John Tyler

John Tyler Coin

Early Years

John Tyler was born on March 29, 1790, in Charles City County, Virginia, into a wealthy family. He was one of eight children. His father was a tobacco planter and a judge at the U.S. Circuit Court in Richmond. At the age of twelve, Tyler enrolled at the College of William & Mary and graduated at seventeen.

His Accidency

After college, Tyler studied law under his father, who served as Governor of Virginia (1808–1811). In 1809, Tyler was admitted to the Virginia state bar and began practicing law. His political career began in 1811 when he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. He later served in the Virginia House of Representatives (1816–1821) and returned to the House of Delegates. Tyler was elected Governor of Virginia in 1825 and U.S. Senator from 1827 to 1836. In 1840, he joined the Whig Party and became vice president under William Henry Harrison with the slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” When Harrison died just a month into his term, Tyler became the first vice president to assume the presidency due to the death of a president. Critics mockingly called him “His Accidency.”

The Staunch Whig

Although elected as a Whig, Tyler vetoed key Whig legislation, including banking acts proposed by Henry Clay. This angered the party, which eventually expelled him, leaving Tyler without a party. Harrison’s entire cabinet resigned during Tyler’s presidency.

Texas Becomes a State

Despite conflicts with Congress, Tyler achieved notable successes. The Webster-Ashburton Treaty settled the U.S.-Canada border dispute. The Log Cabin Bill allowed settlers to claim 160 acres before public sale. In 1845, Texas was annexed as the largest state, and Florida became a state on Tyler’s final day in office.

Death Not Mourned in Congress

After leaving office, Tyler retired to his Virginia plantation, renaming it “Sherwood Forest.” During the Civil War, he sided with the Confederacy and served in its provisional congress. Tyler died in 1862 and was the only U.S. president not mourned in Washington due to his Confederate support. He married twice—Letitia Christian (who died in the White House) and Julia Gardiner—and had fifteen children. He is buried in Richmond, Virginia.

Most Famous Quote

“Popularity, I have always considered as transient, the possession of genius as accidental, and the exercise of power as falling to the lot of but few men.”

John Tyler's Wives

John Tyler was the first President to have had two first ladies. His first wife, Letitia died early in his presidency and he remarried Julia Gardiner at the end of his presidency.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why did John Tyler earn the nickname “His Accidency”?
  2. How did Tyler’s relationship with the Whig Party affect his presidency?
  3. What were Tyler’s most significant accomplishments during his presidency?
  4. Why was Tyler not mourned in Washington after his death?

Glossary

  • Annexed – To incorporate a territory into an existing country.
  • Confederacy – The southern states that seceded from the U.S. during the Civil War.
  • Delegate – A representative elected to a legislative body.
  • Veto – The power to reject a proposed law.

Five Interesting Facts

  1. John Tyler was the first vice president to become president due to the death of a president.
  2. He was expelled from his own political party while serving as president.
  3. Tyler fathered fifteen children, the most of any U.S. president.
  4. He renamed his home “Sherwood Forest” as a jab at the Whig Party.
  5. Tyler was the only U.S. president whose death was not officially mourned in Washington, D.C.

Timeline of John Tyler’s Life

  • 1790 – Born in Charles City County, Virginia.
  • 1807 – Graduated from College of William & Mary at age 17.
  • 1809 – Admitted to the Virginia state bar.
  • 1811 – Elected to Virginia House of Delegates.
  • 1825 – Elected Governor of Virginia.
  • 1827 – Became U.S. Senator.
  • 1840 – Elected Vice President of the United States.
  • 1841 – Became 10th U.S. President after Harrison’s death.
  • 1842 – First wife, Letitia, dies in the White House.
  • 1844 – Marries Julia Gardiner.
  • 1845 – Texas admitted as a state; Florida becomes a state on Tyler’s last day in office.
  • 1861 – Joins Confederate Congress.
  • 1862 – Dies at his Virginia plantation.

Early Life

John Tyler was born in 1790 in Virginia. His family was wealthy, and his father was a judge. Tyler attended the College of William & Mary at age twelve and graduated at seventeen.

Becoming President

Tyler studied law and entered politics. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates, as governor, and as a U.S. senator. In 1840, he became vice president under William Henry Harrison. When Harrison died a month later, Tyler became the first vice president to become president because of a president’s death. People called him “His Accidency.”

His Presidency

Tyler clashed with the Whig Party and was expelled from it. Still, his presidency had successes: a treaty with Britain settled a border dispute, Texas became a state, and Florida joined the Union.

Later Life and Death

Tyler retired to his Virginia plantation, siding with the Confederacy during the Civil War. He died in 1862 and was not mourned by the U.S. government. He married twice and had fifteen children.