Last living grandson of 10th U.S. President John Tyler, dies at 96
Share and Follow

CHARLES CITY, Va. (AP) — Harrison Ruffin Tyler, the last living grandson of U.S. President John Tyler born 83 years after his grandfather left the White House in 1845, died. He was 96.

The cause of Tyler’s death on Sunday was not immediately released. John Tyler was 63 years old when Harrison Tyler’s father, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr., was born. And Harrison Ruffin Tyler was born in 1928 when that father was 75 years old and the presidential grandfather had been dead for more than 60 years.

This undated photo provided by Annique Dunning, executive director of Sherwood Forest Plantation, shows Harrison Ruffin Tyler, grandson of U.S. President John Tyler, who died on May 25, 2025, at 96 years old. (Sherwood Forest Plantation via AP)

The grandson was known for preserving his grandfather’s plantation and nearby Civil War fort. In a statement, Annique Dunning, the executive director of Sherwood Forest, a national landmark of President Tyler’s residence, said the president’s grandson, whose brother died in 2020, was a “beloved father and grandfather, he will be missed immeasurably by those who survive him.”

“He will be remembered for his considerable charm, generosity and unfailing good humor by all who knew him,” Dunning said.

Over the course of his life, Tyler preserved Sherwood Forest, his grandfather’s plantation that enslaved dozens of people, including 43 people in 1860, just before the Civil War began. The grandson also helped restore and maintain Fort Pocahontas, a Union fort during the Civil War.

Tyler’s grandfather was a Democrat nicknamed the “Accidental President” after unexpectedly assuming the presidency when President William Henry Harrison died in office. President Tyler was the first vice president to gain control of the White House in the wake of a death.

The University of Virginia’s Miller Center described the president as “the last gasp of the Old Virginia aristocracy in the White House.” He had married twice and had 15 children, including Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr.

The time between the president’s birth and his grandson’s death spans 235 years.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Revolutionary Robotic Technology in Savannah: Precision Targeting of Lung Cancer by Top Doctors

In Savannah, Georgia, medical professionals are pioneering advanced methods in the fight…

Second Suspect Arrested in Tragic Shooting of 15-Year-Old Girl in Brevard County

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A second suspect has been apprehended in connection…

Salvation Army Celebrates Philanthropy with ‘Mission Essential’ Campaign Finale Honoring Four Exemplary Donors

The Salvation Army of Johnson City wrapped up its Mission Essential: More…

Trump Grants Pardon to Ex-Tennessee House Speaker Amid Corruption Conviction

WASHINGTON – In a controversial decision, President Donald Trump has issued pardons…

New Study Explores Melatonin’s Impact on Heart Health – Should You Be Concerned?

WASHINGTON – Recent headlines may have caused concern by linking melatonin to…

Former Mets Star Darryl Strawberry Receives Pardon from Trump

In a notable act of clemency, President Donald Trump has granted a…

Orlando International Airport Faces Turbulence: FAA Mandated Flight Reductions Spark Traveler Frustration

ORLANDO, Fla. – Starting this Friday, a new directive from the FAA…

Revolutionizing Crime Solving: How Science and Tech Empower SLED in South Carolina’s Fight Against Violence

In Columbia, South Carolina, legislators were briefed by the South Carolina Law…