John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, played a pivotal role during a turbulent period in American history.
Often remembered for being the first vice president to ascend to the presidency due to the death of a sitting president, Tyler’s time in office set crucial constitutional precedents and laid the foundation for future debates over states’ rights and national expansion.
His steadfast belief in limited federal government and the expansion of slavery into new territories made him a controversial figure, both during his lifetime and in historical evaluation.
From his early years in Virginia politics to his support for the Confederate cause, Tyler’s life reflects the deep divisions that would eventually lead to the Civil War. This comprehensive timeline explores the key events, policies, and decisions that defined his presidency and legacy.
| Date | Event |
| March 29, 1790 | John Tyler is born in Charles City County, Virginia, into a prominent political family. His father, John Tyler Sr., served as governor of Virginia and as a judge on the U.S. District Court. |
| 1802-1807 | Attends the College of William & Mary, where he studies law and excels in academics. He graduates at the age of 17. |
| 1809 | Passes the bar exam and begins practicing law. |
| 1811 | Elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, where he serves five years. |
| 1813 | Marries Letitia Christian, who will become his first wife and First Lady (she dies in 1842 while he is president). |
| 1816 | Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican. |
| 1821 | Chooses not to seek re-election due to health issues but stays politically active in Virginia state politics. |
| 1825 | Elected as Governor of Virginia and focuses on infrastructure improvements, including canals and transportation. |
| 1827-1836 | Serves in the U.S. Senate, initially as a Jacksonian Democrat but later opposes Andrew Jackson over states’ rights issues. |
| 1836 | Breaks with the Democrats and aligns with the newly formed Whig Party due to disagreements with Jackson’s strong federal government policies. |
| 1840 | Tyler is chosen as William Henry Harrison’s running mate on the Whig Party ticket under the slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” The ticket wins the election. |
| March 4, 1841 | Inaugurated as Vice President of the United States. |
| April 4, 1841 | President William Henry Harrison dies of pneumonia just 31 days into his term. Tyler becomes the first vice president in U.S. history to assume the presidency due to the death of the president. |
| April 9, 1841 | Tyler takes the presidential oath of office, firmly establishing the precedent that a vice president becomes the full president upon a president’s death, despite some initial opposition. |
| 1841 | Tyler vetoes two major bills that would have reestablished a national bank. His vetoes anger the Whig Party, and most of his Cabinet resigns. |
| 1842 | Letitia Tyler dies, making her the first First Lady to die while serving in the White House. |
| 1842 | Tyler signs the Webster-Ashburton Treaty with Britain, resolving a long-standing border dispute between Maine and Canada. |
| 1844 | Tyler formally endorses the annexation of Texas, a highly controversial move tied to the expansion of slavery. |
| February 28, 1844 | Tyler survives an explosion aboard the USS Princeton, which kills several high-ranking officials, including his Secretary of State, Abel P. Upshur. |
| June 26, 1844 | Tyler marries Julia Gardiner, becoming the first sitting president to marry while in office. Julia becomes an influential First Lady. |
| March 1, 1845 | Tyler signs the resolution to annex Texas, paving the way for its admission as a state later that year. |
| March 4, 1845 | Tyler leaves office, replaced by James K. Polk, who embraces expansionism. |
| 1845-1861 | Retires to his Virginia plantation, Sherwood Forest, but remains politically active. |
| 1853 | Works with efforts to promote southern interests, including the expansion of slavery into new territories. |
| 1861 | Tyler helps organize the Peace Conference, an attempt to prevent the Civil War by negotiating a compromise between the North and South. |
| June 1861 | Tyler is elected to the Confederate House of Representatives, aligning himself with the Confederacy. |
| January 18, 1862 | Dies in Richmond, Virginia. He is the only U.S. president to have his death officially ignored by the U.S. government, as he was considered a traitor by the Union due to his Confederate allegiance. |
| Burial | Tyler is buried in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery, with honors from the Confederate government. |
Timeline of John Tyler
March 29, 1790
John Tyler was born in Charles City County, Virginia, into a wealthy and influential family. His father, John Tyler Sr., had a distinguished political career, serving as governor of Virginia, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, and a judge on the U.S. District Court.
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This privileged upbringing exposed Tyler to politics and law from a young age, shaping his future ambitions. The Tyler family’s strong ties to Virginia’s planter aristocracy ensured that young John was given a classical education and early political mentorship.
1802-1807
John Tyler attended the prestigious College of William & Mary, one of the oldest colleges in the country, where he developed a keen interest in law and politics.
He excelled academically and graduated at the age of 17, which was uncommon but indicative of his early intellectual development. His education emphasized classical studies, including Latin, Greek, and history, which would influence his legal career and his later commitment to states’ rights.
1809
After completing his legal education, Tyler passed the Virginia bar exam and began practicing law in Richmond and Charles City County. His legal expertise earned him respect among his peers and helped build his reputation as a young man destined for public service.
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He was well-versed in property law, a critical skill in an era when land and plantation ownership were central to economic and political power.
1811
At just 21 years old, Tyler was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, where he quickly established himself as a staunch supporter of states’ rights and limited federal power.
His political philosophy was heavily influenced by Thomas Jefferson’s ideas, emphasizing strict constitutional interpretation. Tyler advocated for internal improvements within the state, such as infrastructure projects, while also opposing any federal overreach.
1813
John Tyler married Letitia Christian, the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, strengthening his ties to Virginia’s elite planter class. The couple had eight children during their marriage, and Letitia’s quiet demeanor and dedication to family life complemented Tyler’s political ambitions.
Letitia would become the First Lady during Tyler’s presidency, although her health prevented her from playing an active public role. She later became the first First Lady to die while in the White House.
1816
Tyler was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, which dominated American politics at the time.
During his time in Congress, Tyler championed states’ rights and opposed the re-chartering of the Second Bank of the United States. His legislative priorities reflected his belief in the limited role of the federal government, a stance that would define much of his political career.
1821
Health problems, including a persistent lung condition, forced Tyler to decline re-election and step away from national politics temporarily. However, he remained active in Virginia politics, serving as a member of the state’s Executive Council. His influence in state politics allowed him to stay connected to national developments while recovering his health.
1825
Tyler returned to prominence as the governor of Virginia. As governor, he prioritized improving the state’s infrastructure, particularly in transportation. He supported the development of canals, turnpikes, and other internal improvements to boost Virginia’s economy and trade. His governorship helped him build a strong base of support within Virginia, which proved vital to his later political rise.
1827-1836
Tyler served in the U.S. Senate, initially as a Jacksonian Democrat. However, his relationship with President Andrew Jackson soured over issues related to states’ rights and the president’s use of executive power. Tyler opposed Jackson’s veto of the national bank and the forceful federal response during the Nullification Crisis. By the mid-1830s, Tyler had shifted his allegiance to the emerging Whig Party, which opposed Jackson’s expansive view of presidential power.
1836
As a result of his opposition to Jackson’s policies, Tyler fully aligned himself with the Whig Party. The Whigs sought to limit executive power and favored a Congress-led government. Tyler’s defection from the Democrats solidified his reputation as a principled defender of states’ rights, though it also made him politically isolated at times.
1840
Tyler was selected as William Henry Harrison’s vice-presidential running mate on the Whig Party ticket. The campaign, with its famous slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too,” capitalized on Harrison’s military heroism and Tyler’s Southern appeal.
The Whigs aimed to unite Northern industrialists and Southern planters under a common platform of opposition to Jacksonian Democrats. The ticket won a decisive victory, marking the first Whig presidency.
March 4, 1841
Tyler was inaugurated as vice president alongside President William Henry Harrison. Although vice presidents traditionally played a minor role in government at the time, Tyler hoped to use the position to promote his views on states’ rights and limited government. His role, however, was initially ceremonial, with little expectation of significant influence.
April 4, 1841
President Harrison died of pneumonia after just 31 days in office, making his presidency the shortest in U.S. history. Tyler unexpectedly became the first vice president to ascend to the presidency due to a president’s death. This sudden transition shocked the nation, and questions arose about whether Tyler was simply an acting president or the legitimate successor.
April 9, 1841
Tyler firmly took the presidential oath of office, setting a critical precedent by asserting that the vice president becomes the full president upon the death of the president. This decision clarified the constitutional ambiguity and established a practice that would later be codified in the 25th Amendment.
1841
Tyler vetoed two bills aimed at re-establishing the Bank of the United States, leading to a political crisis within the Whig Party. The Whigs had assumed Tyler would support their agenda, but his opposition to the bank reflected his long-standing belief in limited federal power. His vetoes led to most of his Cabinet resigning and the Whigs officially expelling him from the party.
1842
Letitia Tyler died of a stroke, making her the first First Lady to pass away while living in the White House. Her death deeply affected Tyler, who retreated from public life for a brief period. Her role as First Lady had been largely private due to her health, but her death marked a significant emotional loss for the president.
1842
Tyler signed the Webster-Ashburton Treaty with Britain, which resolved a long-standing border dispute between Maine and the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The treaty improved U.S.-British relations and established a more secure northern border, reducing the threat of future conflicts.
1844
Tyler formally endorsed the annexation of Texas, arguing that it was necessary to secure American expansion and protect U.S. interests in the region. However, the issue of annexation was deeply divisive due to concerns about the expansion of slavery. His support for annexation alienated Northern politicians but gained him favor in the South.
February 28, 1844
Tyler narrowly survived an explosion aboard the USS Princeton, one of the Navy’s most advanced warships. The explosion killed several members of his Cabinet, including Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, who had been a key ally in promoting Texas annexation. The disaster temporarily derailed Tyler’s agenda but also underscored his determination to push forward with expansion.
June 26, 1844
Tyler married Julia Gardiner, a much younger and socially prominent woman, while serving as president. Julia’s charisma and political influence made her an active and popular First Lady. She supported her husband’s controversial policies and played a vital role in improving his public image during his final year in office.
March 1, 1845
Tyler signed the resolution to annex Texas, ensuring its admission as a state later that year. The move further heightened sectional tensions, as the addition of a large slave state angered Northern abolitionists and intensified the debate over the balance of power in Congress.
March 4, 1845
Tyler left office, succeeded by James K. Polk, who embraced an aggressive policy of territorial expansion. Although Tyler’s presidency was often seen as a failure during his lifetime, his role in expanding U.S. territory would later be recognized as significant.
1845-1861
Tyler retired to his plantation, Sherwood Forest, but remained politically active, particularly on issues related to Southern interests and the expansion of slavery. He supported the institution of slavery and believed it was integral to Southern society. He also maintained correspondence with Southern leaders, offering advice on political strategy.
1853
Tyler became involved in efforts to promote Southern unity and the expansion of slavery into new territories. He supported pro-slavery expansionist policies and warned against Northern attempts to limit Southern political power. His positions further distanced him from the emerging anti-slavery movements in the North.
1861
Tyler participated in the Peace Conference in Washington, D.C., which sought to prevent the Civil War by brokering a compromise between the North and South. Despite his efforts, the conference failed, and tensions continued to escalate. Tyler ultimately sided with the Confederacy, believing that secession was necessary to preserve Southern interests.
June 1861
Tyler was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives, becoming one of the most prominent former U.S. officials to support the Confederate cause. His decision to join the Confederacy made him a controversial figure and solidified his legacy as a defender of Southern separatism.
January 18, 1862
Tyler died in Richmond, Virginia, at the age of 71. His death was largely ignored by the U.S. government, as he was considered a traitor by the Union due to his role in the Confederacy. However, he was honored with a state funeral by the Confederate government.
Burial
John Tyler was buried in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery, alongside other prominent Confederate figures. His grave is marked by a monument honoring his contributions to Virginia and the South. Despite his controversial legacy, he remains a significant figure in U.S. history for his role in shaping constitutional precedent and territorial expansion.