Facts About President John Tyler

John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, is remembered as an enigmatic figure in American history. Though not a notable president, Tyler made significant contributions to the country during his tenure in office. Here are some interesting facts about John Tyler that you might not know.
- He was the first vice president to become president due to the death of a sitting president. Tyler assumed presidency in 1841 after the sudden death of President William Henry Harrison.
- Tyler is known as “His Accidency” because of how he became president. He faced opposition from the Whig Party and his own cabinet, which led to his nickname.
- Tyler was the first president to veto a bill passed by Congress. The bill he vetoed, the “Bank Bill,” would have established a national bank.
- Although Tyler served as a senator, governor, congressman, and vice president of the United States, he was expelled from his political party, the Whigs, during his time in office.
- Tyler’s presidency was marked by several notable events, including the annexation of Texas, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty which resolved a dispute between the US and Britain over the border in Maine, and the launch of the USS Princeton, the first steam-powered warship.
- Tyler was a firm believer in states’ rights and was an advocate for the rights of slavery. He strongly opposed abolition and believed that the states had the right to secede from the union.
- Tyler fathered 15 children, more than any other president before or since, with two different wives. He was 70 years old when his final child was born.
- After leaving the presidency, Tyler became a vocal advocate for the Confederacy during the Civil War. He was even elected to serve as a representative in the Confederate Congress but died before he could take his seat.
Despite his rocky presidency and controversial views on slavery, John Tyler remains an important figure in American history. He made significant contributions to the country during his time in office and played a vital role in the expansion of the United States territory. While not often remembered as a successful president, Tyler’s impact on American history cannot be denied.