John Tyler

[Library of Congress]

1790-1862

10th President (1841-1845), 10th Vice President (1841)

Biographical Data
Religious Views
Quotations
References, Links, & Further Reading

Education: College of William and Mary

Occupation: lawyer

Political Affiliation: Democrat, Whig

Religious Affiliation: Episcopalian

Summary of Religious Views:

Franklin Steiner, in his book The Religious Beliefs Of Our Presidents, categorized Tyler among "Presidents Whose Religious Views Are Doubtful." Although affiliated with the Episcopal church, he did not take "a denominational approach to God," according to his biographer (Robert Seager II, and Tyler too: A Biography of John and Julia Gardiner Tyler, 1963, p. 109).

Views on Religion & Politics:

Tyler was a strong supporter of religious tolerance and separation of church and state.

Quotations:

"The United States have adventured upon a great and noble experiment, which is believed to have been hazarded in the absence of all previous precedent -- that of total separation of Church and State. No religious establishment by law exists among us. The conscience is left free from all restraint and each is permitted to worship his Maker after his own judgement. The offices of the Government are open alike to all. No tithes are levied to support an established Hierarchy, nor is the fallible judgement of man set up as the sure and infallible creed of faith. The Mahommedan, if he will to come among us would have the privilege guaranteed to him by the constitution to worship according to the Koran; and the East Indian might erect a shrine to Brahma if it so pleased him. Such is the spirit of toleration inculcated by our political Institutions.... The Hebrew persecuted and down trodden in other regions takes up his abode among us with none to make him afraid.... and the Aegis of the Government is over him to defend and protect him. Such is the great experiment which we have tried, and such are the happy fruits which have resulted from it; our system of free government would be imperfect without it." -- letter, 10 July 1843

"The intolerant spirit manifested against Catholics, as exhibited in the burning of their churches, etc., will so soon as the thing becomes fairly considered, arouse a strong feeling of dissatisfaction the part of a large majority of the American people; for if there is one principle of higher import with them than any other, it is the principle of religious freedom." -- letter to Robert Tyler, 19 May 1856

References, Links, & Further Reading: Books, Articles, Links

Books

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Works by John Tyler

ed. by Lyon G. Tyler, The Letters and Times of the Tylers, 3 vols., 1884-1886; reprint, Da Capo, 1970; Vol. I Vol. II Vol. III

Biographies

Oliver Perry Chitwood, John Tyler: Champion of the Old South (Signature Series), Appleton-Century Co., 1939; reprint 1964
Edward P. Crapol, John Tyler, the Accidental President, Univ. of North Carolina Press, 2006
K. T. Ellett, Young John Tyler, Dietz Press 1976
Christopher J. Leahy, President without a Party: The Life of John Tyler, LSU Press, 2020
Gary May, John Tyler, Times Books, 2008
F. Merk and L. B. Merk, Fruits of Propaganda in the Tyler Administration, Harvard Univ. Press, 1971
Dan Monroe, The Republican Vision of John Tyler, Texas A&M Univ. Press, 2003
Robert J. Morgan, A Whig Embattled: The Presidency Under John Tyler, Univ. of Nebraska Press, 1954; reprint, Shoe String, 1974
Norman L. Peterson, Presidencies of William Henry Harrison and John Tyler (American Presidency Series), Univ. Press of Kansas, 1989
Robert Seager II, And Tyler too: A Biography of John and Julia Gardiner Tyler, 1963
Jane C. Walker, John Tyler : A President of Many Firsts, McDonald and Woodward, 2001

Articles

Works by John Tyler

"An Address Delivered Before the Two Literary Societies of Randolph Macon College, Virginia," Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. 5, Iss. 1, Jan 1839, pp. 20-25
"The Dead of the Cabinet: A Lecture Delivered at Petersburg, April 24, 1856 ," Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. 23, Iss. 2, Aug 1856, pp 81-93
"Early Times of Virginia--William and Mary College ," Debow's Review, Vol. 27, Iss. 2, Aug 1859, pp. 136-149

Biographies

Edward P. Crapol, "John Tyler and the Pursuit of National Destiny," Journal of the Early American Republic, Vol. 17, No. 3, October 1997

Links

Works by John Tyler

John Tyler (American Presidency Project)
John Tyler: Historic Speeches (Presidential Rhetoric)

Biographical Sites

John Tyler (POTUS)
John Tyler (White House)
TYLER, John, 1790-1862 (Biographical Directory of the US Congress)
John Tyler (American President)
John Tyler (USA Presidents)
Life Portrait of John Tyler (C-SPAN)
John Tyler (1790–1862) (EncyclopediaVirginia)
Sherwood Forest
Tyler as Poet (Library of Congress)
John Tyler (Medical History of the Presidents of the United States)