31 Fabulous Fun Facts About John Tyler That You'll Absolutely Adore

Shirin Biswas
Jan 27, 2023 By Shirin Biswas
Originally Published on Jan 11, 2022
Edited by Jacob Fitzbright
Fact-checked by Niyati Parab
Tyler served his period in office with dignity

John Tyler became famous as the president without a party and had quite an interesting rule.

His term in the White House was littered with consequential events. He was the first president who faced expulsion from his political party during his presidential rule.

John Tyler is remembered as the former U.S. president who supported the cause of the Confederate States of America - the very people that brought the Civil War. He firmly believed in the checking of the powers held by the federal government and died with those ideals.

Facts About John Tyler

John Tyler was the 10th U.S. President, but that is hardly the reason why he is famous. He was the first President of the United States of America who wasn't elected to the seat!

Historians doubt that he left behind any legacy since his presidency was largely conflicted.

Nonetheless, Tyler served his time in office in a highly hostile climate and managed to survive through threats of assassination as well as expulsion from his own political party. However problematic his rule may have been, Tyler's work deserves to be recognized.

  • John Tyler became the President of the United States of America after the death of President William Henry Harrison.
  • Unfortunately, Harrison could only serve as the president for around one month.
  • This was because his presidential oath happened to be very long and he delivered it on one of the chilliest days of the year.
  • William Henry Harrison caught a fatal bout of pneumonia, which ultimately killed him within a month of taking the oath.
  • John Tyler was Harrison's vice president and according to the provisions in the constitution, the vice president was to take up the presidential duties under such circumstances.
  • Most of Tyler's party members and Harrison's cabinet hoped that Tyler would remain the vice president-acting president, but he went on to assume the position of the president of the U.S. through formal ceremonies.
  • President Tyler is remembered for having a particular knack for safeguarding the rights of the states.
  • Being the first vice president to have gotten the seat of the president, people initially expected him to be meek and simply carry out the agendas that were already lined up for Harrison's presidential rule.
  • However, John Tyler was nothing but determined to make sure that he remained true to his own ideals and supported only the constitutional bills.
  • His presidency was widely supported by the Whigs during the campaigns, as they made sure that Harrison and Tyler sat on the seats at the White House together.
  • However, President Harrison met an untimely death and President John Tyler was not willing to submit to the fancies of his own political party.
  • Hence, many of his decisions are widely questioned.
  • Before becoming the 10th president, he was a part of the House of Representatives.
  • Tyler resigned his position at the House of Representatives after the Missouri Compromise was passed.
  • Tyler firmly believed that the rights of the federal government ought not to surpass the fundamental jurisdiction of the states over their own people.

 

John Tyler's Presidency

John Tyler was referred to as 'His Accidency' by people who did not support his position in the White House after the death of William Henry Harrison. His political career itself was very problematic, especially right before his death, but Tyler served his period in office with dignity.

  • John Tyler and his presidential rule are not appreciated by many historians.
  • The simple reason that most historians quote is that his presidency did not make much of an impact and hence, he did not leave behind any lasting legacy.
  • President Tyler was visibly inclined towards safeguarding 0the rights of the states.
  • He believed that each state was capable of understanding and therefore protecting its own demographic.
  • This also meant that he was initially against the ratification of the constitution since that would give too much power to the federal government and the states would not have been left with many jurisdictions.
  • Tyler signed the bill that annexed Texas exactly three days before he had to leave office.
  • This, in his own eyes, was a pivotal thing that he did as a president.
  • His presidency was not supported by the cabinet that Harrison had chosen for himself.
  • This was because he was expected to work as a puppet for the Whigs party, which John Tyler quite literally refused to do.
  • In one of the rather notable events, Tyler vetoed a bill that proposed a new National Bank.
  • The bill was supported by the Whigs and in spite of the fact that his cabinet was in favor of the passing of the bill, John Tyler stuck to his decision and refused to let it pass.
  • This was what tipped the cabinet over the edge and inspired them to resign their positions.
  • All but one member of the cabinet resigned their jobs as a show of resentment against the first president that came to the seat as nothing but an accident.
  • John Tyler, during his presidential rule, did not even have a vice president.
  • This was because the constitution had no such provisions in case of the unfortunate demise of a president and the subsequent accession to the seat by the then vice president.

John Tyler's Political Party

John Tyler was a part of the Whigs political party. He also served in the Virginia legislature.

  • John Tyler joined the Virginia House of Delegates or the Virginia Legislature when he was just 19 years old.
  • He served as a member here for several years before securing a place in the House of Representatives.
  • After a difference of opinion he had at the House of Representatives, he resigned and returned to Virginia, before he was finally chosen to be the vice president alongside William Henry Harrison.
  • Harrison and Tyler ran a successful campaign and won the election.
  • However, Harrison died after spending just one month as the president, which left Tyler in charge.
  • During his presidential rule, Tyler made many decisions and vetoed many bills that were supported by the Whigs.
  • This caused his removal from the party, which was especially supported by Henry Clay. Tyler was now a president without a party.
  • After he left office as the U.S. President, he returned to Virginia.
  • He also served as the Governor of Virginia.
  • He served as the Governor of Virginia till the Civil War broke loose.
  • At this time, he became a supporter of the Confederate congress and even joined the Confederate House of Representatives.
  • However, he died days before he could be formally included in the first session of Congress.
  • He believed in the potential that the formation of the Confederate States of America held, which was strictly against the federal government.

John Tyler Before He Was A President

John Tyler was born in a rich family in Virginia and was a brilliant student.

  • John Tyler was brought up in a family that was deeply involved in politics.
  • He studied law and economics.
  • John Tyler studied at the College of William and Mary Preparatory school.
  • He later became the chancellor of the College of William and Mary.
  • He had 15 children.
  • Lyon Gardiner Tyler, one of John Tyler's children, later became the president of the College of William and Mary.
  • U.S. President John Tyler was the first person who got married while still a president.

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Written by Shirin Biswas

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

Shirin Biswas picture

Shirin BiswasBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

With a degree in English from Amity University, Noida, Shirin has won awards for oratory, acting, and creative writing. She has a wealth of experience as an English teacher, editor, and writer, having previously worked at Quizzy and Big Books Publishing. Her expertise lies in editing study guides for children and creating engaging content.

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Fact-checked by Niyati Parab

Bachelor of Commerce

Niyati Parab picture

Niyati ParabBachelor of Commerce

With a background in digital marketing, Niyati brings her expertise to ensure accuracy and authenticity in every piece of content. She has previously written articles for MuseumFacts, a history web magazine, while also handling its digital marketing. In addition to her marketing skills, Niyati is fluent in six languages and has a Commerce degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University. She has also been recognized for her public speaking abilities, holding the position of Vice President of Education at the Toastmasters Club of Pune, where she won several awards and represented the club in writing and speech contests at the area level.

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