Presidential Spotlight: John Tyler
From America’s Library:
Born: March 29, 1790
Died: January 18, 1862John Tyler, 10th president of the United States, was called “His Accidency” by his foes because he was the first president to get the job without being elected to it. He took the helm when President Harrison died after only one month in office.
Tyler had other “firsts” as president: His first wife was the first wife to die while her husband was still president, and he was the first president to marry while in office.
Tyler was the last of the Virginia aristocrats in the White House. He was a Southerner until his death, even being elected to the Confederate Congress after unsuccessfully trying to keep the Union from dissolving and entering the Civil War. He was the only president who also allied himself with the Confederacy.
More John Tyler stories from America’s Library
John Tyler’s Annual Messages to Congress
Government documents associated with John Tyler
John Tyler, Tenth President of the United States
John Tyler books & other texts
John Tyler historical newspaper coverage through 1863
President Tyler historical newspaper coverage 1841-45
Magazine articles about John Tyler
- “The Penny-Postman. No. 1. To John Tyler, Vice-President of the United States” The United States Democratic Review Volume 9, Issue 37, July 1841
- “Political Portraits with Pen and Pencil. No. XXXIV John Tyler” The United States Democratic Review Volume 11, Issue 53, November 1842
- “Suggestions of the Past. John Tyler’s Administration” The Galaxy. Volume 13, Issue 2, February 1872
- “Suggestions of the Past. John Tyler’s Administration” The Galaxy. Volume 13, Issue 3, March 1872
- “John Tyler” The Century; a popular quarterly Volume 34, Issue 2, June 1887
Tyler receiving the news of Harrison’s death April 5, 1841 (engraving/lithograph)
John Tyler images
John Tyler portraits & political cartoons
John Tyler Sherwood Forest home image set
“John Tyler’s Lamentation” (sheet music)
Sherwood Forest Plantation: Home of President John Tyler
More U.S. President primary source collections & teaching resources