John Tyler (March 29; 1790 - January 18; 1862) was the tenth President of the United States (1841-45). He was also; briefly; the tenth vice president (1841); elected to that office on the 1840 Whig ticket with William Henry Harrison.

Tyler became president after Harrison's death in April 1841; only a month after the start of the new administration. Known to that point as a supporter of states' rights; which endeared him to his fellow Virginians; his actions as president showed that he was willing to back nationalist policies as long as they did not infringe on the powers of the states. A firm believer in manifest destiny; President Tyler sought to strengthen and preserve the Union through territorial expansion; most notably the annexation of the independent Republic of Texas in his last days in office.