JOHN TYLER was born in James City County, Virginia. After attending the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, he studied law and began practicing law in Charles City County. He became a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1778 and served as Speaker from 1781 to 1785. He went on to become Judge of the State Admiralty Court from 1785 to 1788, Vice President of the Virginia Convention considering the adoption of the Federal Constitution in 1788, and Judge of the General Court of Virginia from 1788 to 1808. He was chosen by the state legislature to serve as governor for three one-year terms. During his administration, opposition to the maritime policy of France and Great Britain increased, proposals were made for the promotion of public education, and the executive mansion was constructed in Richmond’s Capitol Square. Tyler resigned from office to accept appointment to a judgeship with the U.S. District Court of Virginia. He served as U.S. District Court judge until his death.
*Note: exact term end date is not known.
Library of Virginia, Virginia Governor (1808-1811: Tyler), Executive Papers. Accession 41223. Biographical/Historical Note. State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219.
The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 5. New York: James T. White & Company.
Smith, Margaret Vowell. Virginia, 1492-1892: A History of the Executives. Washington, D.C.: W. H. Lowdermilk & Co., 1893.
Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 4. Westport, CT: Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols