Guide Note

John Tyler was the 10th President of the United States. He was instated following the death of William Henry Harrison in 1841.

Fast Facts

1. Born: March 29, 1790 in Charles City County, Virginia
2. Political Party: Whig, Democratic
3. Administration: 1841-1845
4. Vice President: None
5. Succeeded by: James K. Polk
6. Secretary of State: Daniel Webster (41-43), Abel P. Upshur (43-44), John C. Calhoun
7. Spouses: Letitia Christian Tyler, Julia Gardiner Tyler
8. Occupation: Lawyer
9. Died: January 18, 1862

• March 29, 1790: Born

• 1811-16: Virginia House of Delegates

• 1816-21: U.S. House of Representatives

• 1823-25: Virginia State Legislator

• 1825-27: Governor of Virginia

• 1827-36: United States Senator

• 1840: Vice Presidential running mate to William Henry Harrison

• April 4, 1841: Became new President upon Harrison's death

• 1861-62: House of Representatives of the Confederate Congress

• January 18, 1862: Died in Richmond, Virginia

Tyler had served as Harrison's Vice President until Harrison's death, which occurred only one month into his first term. The fact that he had passed so quickly left the Congress in a state of confusion over whether to make Tyler the acting President or simply a caretaker of the office without its title. Tyler eventually became an acting President with both the title and full powers of the office. This set the precedent for how succession would be handled by the White House and Congress in the future.

Tyler's most well-known achievement was the annexation of the Republic of Texas in 1845. He is also historically noteworthy for having been the first President born after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.