On April 6, 1841, John Tyler was sworn in as the 10th president of the United States, making history as the first vice president to ascend to the presidency. President William Henry Harrison had died on April 4 after just 31 days in office, leading to a problem that hadn’t yet been encountered. The Constitution made it clear that Tyler would immediately take on the duties of being president, but matters like whether Tyler would remain president for the rest of Harrison’s term, or if there should be a new election for a permanent president, were open questions.
For Tyler’s part, he believed he was the fully the president in every sense of the word and acted as such, convincing Harrison’s cabinet to stay on under his leadership, moving into the White House, and taking the oath of office (though Tyler believed the oath he took as vice president should have been sufficient). Some of Tyler’s political opponents accused him of being an opportunist and in some way illegitimate, nicknaming him “His Accidency.” Nevertheless, the transfer of power to Tyler established the basic precedent still followed today, some of which was formally codified in the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Tyler’s presidency was controversial and limited in achievement, in part due to the circumstances surrounding his accession. But his term remains an important part of presidential history, and its legacy is on display for groups in Charles City, Virginia, at the president’s Sherwood Forest Plantation. Tyler lived in the home from 1842 until his death in 1862, and the property remains in posssession of the Tyler family. In an interesting historical note, Tyler continued to father children until late in life, as did his son Lyon, leading to an extended family tree. Tyler, born in 1790, had a daughter who lived until 1946 and a grandson who only just passed away in 2025, illustrating that sometimes seemingly ancient history is not as far back as we might think.
For more, visit Sherwood Forest Tours.
Main Image: John Tyler’s tomb, Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia; Credit: Adobe/gnagel
