96-year-old descendant of John Tyler, the 10th American President, breaches the last connection to a historical period, passes away.
John Tyler, the 10th U.S. President and a descendant of slave-owning Virginia families, passed away at the age of 96, marking the end of a historical link to the past. Harrison Ruffin Tyler, the most recent living grandson of John Tyler, died on May 25, according to a family statement.
During his presidency from 1841 to 1845, John Tyler served before the American Civil War, acting as vice president to William Henry Harrison and assuming the role of president after Harrison's sudden passing three weeks into his term. Succession plans were not fully established at that time, and Tyler initially hesitated taking over.
John Tyler's storied life saw him marry twice and father 15 children – eight with his first wife, Letitia, and seven more with his second wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler. The latter was 24 when they wed, and Tyler, who was in his 50s and 60s at the time, fathered most of his second set of children. His last child, a daughter named Pearl, was born when he was 70 years old.
Lyon Gardiner Tyler, one of Tyler's sons from Julia, was the father of Harrison Ruffin Tyler. Lyon, who served as president of William and Mary College, also married twice and had two sons in the 1920s, when he was in his 70s.
Born and raised in Charles City County, Virginia, Harrison Ruffin Tyler had a keen interest in history and preserving landmarks like Sherwood Forest, his ancestor's home, and Fort Pocahontas. Anna Dunning, the executive director of Sherwood Forest, expressed her condolences, saying Tyler would be remembered for his "considerable charm, generosity, and unfailing good humor."
During his life, Tyler co-founded ChemTreat, an industrial water treatment company, and lived in Virginia.
This death marks the conclusion of a thread that traces back to a bygone era, as the first president to die in office more than 179 years ago.
- Virginia
- History
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at ourNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Cara reports on human rights and justice issues. Contact her at [email protected]
Cara Tabachnick, the news editor at ourNews.com, covers human rights and justice issues, having previously delved into crime journalism at Newsday. Amid the general news of Virginia's rich history, she explores stories concerning politics and notable figures like John Tyler, the 10th U.S. President who passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy that spans several generations. Harrison Ruffin Tyler, a recent grandson of John Tyler and the son of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, also had a notable life in Virginia, marked by his interest in history and preservation of landmarks. His death recently has sparked discussions about the end of a historical thread.
