http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler See pictures from the life and presidency of John Tyler en Copyright 2013, History.com Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-21T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo1 In 1790, John Tyler was born in Charles City County, Virginia. http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo2 Tyler fathered 15 children: eight with his first wife, Letitia (who died early into his presidency) and 7 with his second wife, Julia, who was 30 years his junior. http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo3 Through influential family ties, Tyler gained a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1811, and then went on to serve in the army during the War of 1812 and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1816 to 1821. http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo4 Tyler was elected as William Harrison's vice president in 1841 and was suddenly thrust into the role of "acting president" when Harrison died one month into office. (Tyler was often referred to as "His Accidency.") http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo5 Originally a Democrat, Tyler was despised by both parties. The Democrats didn't like him because he was a traitor to their party, and the Whigs didn't like him because he didn't support the Whig party agenda. http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo6 Tyler fell in line with southern secessionists and in 1861 was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives. Tyler died on January 16, 1862, in Richmond, Virginia, a few days before the first meeting of the Confederate Congress. http://www.history.com/photos/john-tyler/photo6