Synopses & Reviews
The first accidental president,” whose secret maneuverings brought Texas into the Union and set secession in motion
When William Henry Harrison died in April 1841, just one month after his inauguration, Vice President John Tyler assumed the presidency. It was a controversial move by this Southern gentleman, who had been placed on the fractious Whig ticket with the hero of Tippecanoe in order to sweep Andrew Jacksons Democrats, and their imperial tendencies, out of the White House.
Soon Tyler was beset by the Whigs competing factions. He vetoed the charter for a new Bank of the United States, which he deemed unconstitutional, and was expelled from his own party. In foreign policy, as well, Tyler marched to his own drummer. He engaged secret agents to help resolve a border dispute with Britain and negotiated the annexation of Texas without the Senates approval. The resulting sectional divisions roiled the country.
Gary May, a historian known for his dramatic accounts of secret government, sheds new light on Tylers controversial presidency, which saw him set aside his dedication to the Constitution to gain his two great ambitions: Texas and a place in history. Gary May is a professor of history at the University of Delaware. The author of three books, including the critically acclaimed The Informant: The FBI, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Murder of Viola Liuzzo, he lives in Newark, Delaware.
When William Henry Harrison dies of pneumonia in April 1841, just one month after his inauguration, Vice President John Tyler assumed the presidency. No president has ever before died in office, and the succession proved controversial for this Southern gentleman, who had been placed on he fractious Whig ticket with the hero of Tippecanoe in order to sweep Andrew Jackson's Democrats, and their imperial tendencies, out of the White House. Despite his desire to join fellow Virginians Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe in the pantheon of great presidents, Tyler soon found himself beset by the Whigs' competing factions. He vetoed the Whig-supported charter for a new Bank of the United States, which he deemed unconstitutional, and was expelled from his own party. As his battles with Congress intensified, Tyler turned his attention to foreign policy, where he believed he could act more freely, and to his personal life. He engaged secret agents to help resolve a border dispute with Britain and, recently widowed, pursued his infatuation with a young New York socialite. Although his hopes for a second term were dashed, he remained determined to win fame by annexing the Republic of Texas, even without the Senate's approvala clear refutation of his beloved Constitution. The resulting sectional divisions roiled the country and eventually led to the Civil War. Gary May, a historian known for his dramatic accounts of secret government, sheds new light on Tyler's tumultuous presidency, which saw him set aside his principles to gain his two great ambitions: Texas and a place in history.
Synopsis
The first “accidental president,” whose secret maneuverings brought Texas into the Union and set secession in motion
When William Henry Harrison died in April 1841, just one month after his inauguration, Vice President John Tyler assumed the presidency. It was a controversial move by this Southern gentleman, who had been placed on the fractious Whig ticket with the hero of Tippecanoe in order to sweep Andrew Jacksons Democrats, and their imperial tendencies, out of the White House.
Soon Tyler was beset by the Whigs competing factions. He vetoed the charter for a new Bank of the United States, which he deemed unconstitutional, and was expelled from his own party. In foreign policy, as well, Tyler marched to his own drummer. He engaged secret agents to help resolve a border dispute with Britain and negotiated the annexation of Texas without the Senates approval. The resulting sectional divisions roiled the country.
Gary May, a historian known for his dramatic accounts of secret government, sheds new light on Tylers controversial presidency, which saw him set aside his dedication to the Constitution to gain his two great ambitions: Texas and a place in history.
Synopsis
In this biographical account of the first "accidental president," May sheds new light on Tyler's controversial presidency, which saw him set aside his dedication to the Constitution to gain his two great ambitions: Texas and a place in history.
About the Author
Gary May is a professor of history at the University of Delaware. The author of three books, including the critically acclaimed The Informant: The FBI, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Murder of Viola Liuzzo, he lives in Newark, Delaware.