John Tyler: the record and the legends

His Accidency. The 10th president, 1841-1845, from Virginia. Every story here is tagged Record, meaning it’s documented, or Legend, meaning it gets told a lot and doesn’t hold up. Each one links to its source.

President: 10th
In office: 1841-1845
Home state: Virginia
Party: Whig
Height: 6'0"

The record

RecordWhen William Henry Harrison's term ended after a month, some people said Tyler was only the acting president. Tyler said he was the President, full stop, and sent back unopened any letter that called him anything less.Source: White House Historical Association, John Tyler and Presidential Succession
RecordIn September 1841, after Tyler vetoed a national bank bill, his whole cabinet quit except Secretary of State Daniel Webster. Two days later his own party, the Whigs, threw him out.Source: Miller Center, Tyler: Key Events
RecordIn 1842 a petition reached the House asking that Tyler be removed from office. It was the first attempt to impeach a sitting president, and the House set it aside.Source: U.S. House of Representatives, Tyler Impeachment Resolution
RecordTyler's last child was born when he was 70. That child lived until the Truman presidency.Source: Miller Center, Tyler: Family Life

The legends

LegendHis Accidency makes Tyler sound like a placeholder. He wasn't. He claimed full power from day one, vetoed bills even when it cost him his party, and got Texas annexed on his way out the door.Source: Miller Center, Tyler: Key Events

What he cared about

Annexing Texas, which he signed three days before leaving office.
Keeping the federal government out of a national bank, which he thought the Constitution didn't allow.
Settling the Maine border with British Canada peacefully.

The full record

Tyler enslaved people his whole adult life, including 44 to 46 people at his Sherwood Forest plantation in the 1850s.

How he fights in POTUS KO

Took every hit his own party threw

Tyler never won a battle and never won a presidential election, but he took hit after hit and kept the job. In the ring he waits, absorbs, and answers.

See POTUS KO

Questions about John Tyler

Was John Tyler ever impeached?

In 1842 a petition reached the House asking that Tyler be removed from office. It was the first attempt to impeach a sitting president, and the House set it aside.

Why was John Tyler called His Accidency?

His Accidency makes Tyler sound like a placeholder. He wasn't. He claimed full power from day one, vetoed bills even when it cost him his party, and got Texas annexed on his way out the door.

How old was John Tyler when his last child was born?

Tyler's last child was born when he was 70. That child lived until the Truman presidency.