Presidential Resources Online
John Tyler 1841 - 1845
Born to a prosperous Virginia family in 1790, John
Tyler studied at William and Mary College as a young man. Although
he studied law, Tyler intended to be a professional politician. In
1816 the 26 year old Tyler was elected to the House of Representatives,
where he would serve two terms. He would later go on to serve two
terms as Governor of Virginia, and as a U.S. Senator. In 1840 he
was elected Vice-President under William Henry Harrison, and assumed the
presidency in 1839 after Harrison's death. An ardent supporter of
state's rights and Jacksonian democracy, Tyler's political views differed
significantly from those of Harrison, and he was frequently at odds with
the Harrison appointed cabinet, which he eventually replaced. He
also fought with the Congress, which was dominated by his political opponents.
Tyler served one term, after which he returned to Virginia but did not
fade from public life. An ardent support of the Southern cause, in
1861 Tyler strongly supported secession, and served in the Confederate
Congress before his death in 1862.
Online John Tyler Resources:
Sherwood Forrest Plantation - The
official website of John Tyler's home.
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