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John Tyler

John Tyler
Order:10th President
Term of Office:April 4, 1841 - March 4, 1845
Followed:William Henry Harrison
Succeeded by:James Knox Polk
Date of BirthMarch 29, 1790
Place of Birth:Greenway, Virginia[?]
Date of Death:January 18, 1862
Place of Death:Richmond, Virginia
Wives:Letitia Christian
Julia Gardiner
First Ladies:Letitia Christian
Priscilla Cooper (daughter-in-law)
Letitia Tyler (daughter)
Julia Gardiner
Occupation:lawyer
Political Party:Whig
Vice President:none

John Tyler (March 29, 1790 - January 18, 1862) was the 10th (1841-1845) President of the United States, but only the second one born in the United States.

Tyler was elected Vice President in 1840 as running mate to William Henry Harrison, and assumed the presidency upon Harrison's death.

Tyler was the first such vice-president to assume the presidency in this manner. His presidency was never taken seriously in his time; he was usually referred to as the "Acting President". Further, Harrison was to have been a genial figurehead controlled by Whig Party leaders, particularly Henry Clay. Tyler shocked Congressional Whigs by vetoing virtually the entire Whig agenda, leaving the government deadlocked.

Tyler's last act in office was perhaps the most significant: he signed the bill annexing Texas, which had formerly been part of Mexico. This act triggered war with Mexico. Tyler retired to a plantation named "Walnut Grove" he had bought in Virginia, renaming it "Sherwood Forest" to signify that he had been "outlawed" by the Whig party.

Supreme Court appointments

Related articles

Preceded by:
William Henry Harrison
Presidents of the United States Succeeded by:
James Knox Polk



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