John Tyler

author

John Tyler

1790–1862

A Virginia statesman who unexpectedly became the 10th U.S. president, he took office after William Henry Harrison’s death and helped define what presidential succession would mean in practice. His term is especially remembered for the annexation of Texas and for the fierce political battles that left him at odds with much of his own party.

1 Audiobook

State of the Union Addresses

by John Tyler

About the author

Born in Virginia in 1790, John Tyler built his career in state politics before serving in the U.S. House, as governor of Virginia, and in the U.S. Senate. In 1841 he became the first vice president to assume the presidency after a president died in office, insisting that he was fully the president rather than merely an acting caretaker.

That decision set an important precedent in American government. Tyler’s presidency was turbulent: he clashed with Whig leaders, vetoed major banking legislation, and saw much of his Cabinet resign. Even so, his administration achieved a major foreign-policy milestone with the annexation of Texas shortly before he left office in 1845.

After his presidency, Tyler returned to Virginia. During the secession crisis he ultimately sided with the Confederacy, and he died in Richmond in 1862 during the Civil War. His life remains a striking mix of constitutional importance, political independence, and deep controversy.