Today is the 221st anniversary of the birth of John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, on January 25, 1790. Now, I’m sure you haven’t given a lot of thought to ol’ Jawn (best known as the back half of “Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too!”, he succeeded William Henry Harrison upon the latter’s death in office one month after inauguration), but he has an extraordinary legacy: he has living grandchildren. According to Yahoo News:
So, how is it possible that a former president who died 150 years ago would still have direct descendents [sic--he means grandchildren--DSF] alive today? As it turns out, the Tyler men were known for fathering children late in life. And that math is pretty outstanding when added up:
John Tyler was born in 1790. He became the 10th president of the United States in 1841 after William Henry Harrison died in office. Tyler fathered Lyon Gardiner Tyler in 1853, at age 63. Then, at the age of 71, Lyon Gardiner Tyler fathered Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. in 1924 and four years later at age 75, Harrison Ruffin Tyler. Both men are still alive today.
Think about that: John Tyler was born less than ten years after the end of the Revolutionary War, less than three years after the ratification of the Constitution, less than a year ater the inauguration of George Washington as our first president. That man has living grandsons, one of whom is only seven years younger than Ron Paul, who is running for president today. Incredible.
January 26, 2012 at 7:34 am
I have a whole new perspective on President Tyler. He and his son give those of us on the far side of 60 some new basis for our fantasies! 8>)
The thought of having teenage children at 90, however, is another thing.
And he was also historically significant because he established the principle that a Vice President who succeeded to the presidency was, indeed, the president and not just an “acting president” subject to greater legislative control than a “real” president.
January 26, 2012 at 9:28 am
Truly incredible.
January 26, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Wow, that is great! I thought that my grandfather was fairly old. I’m not yet 60 and my paternal grandfather was born on July 2nd, 1863 during the battle of Gettysburg. He wasn’t near the action however, as he was born several thousand miles away in the new state of Oregon, his mother having come to the territory in 1846. That doesn’t hold a candle to the Tyler “kids.”
January 29, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Hey, can’t wait for my wife to see this. She thought I was crazy for wanting another kid at this stage in life. My desire does NOT mean I’m not crazy…
Great history lesson.
Alan Wilkerson
January 30, 2012 at 11:28 am
We have long generations in our family too, but not that long. I was born in 1964, my dad was born in 1922 and his dad was born in 1889.