The older of the two surviving grandsons of the tenth president of the U.S. John Tyler has died aged 95.
Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. passed away on September 26 in Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee, his daughter Susan Selina Pope Tyler confirmed to the New York Times.
His death was caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Tyler Jr., a lawyer and historian, was a member of a genealogical marvel, with three generations of his family spanning almost the entire history of the United States.
His grandfather was born 230 years ago, just after George Washington became president, before going on to become president himself.
This extraordinary feat was possible in part because his father had Lyon whilst in his 70s, meaning he were born nearly 140 years after his grandfather was.
The president also had Lyon Sr. very late in life and their lifespan alone equates to 152 years.
Lyon Jr. is survived by his brother Harrison Ruffin, 91, who continues the family’s amazing legacy.
He was born in 1925 to Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr., the thirteenth son of the late president. Tyler had 15 children in total.
He earned a law degree at the University of Virginia after graduating from William & Mary and practiced law in Richmond and Charles City County.
His brother Harrison Ruffin was born four years after him, according to records kept by the Sherwood Forest Plantation Foundation, the home of President Tyler.
John Tyler, born in 1790 shortly after Washington’s first inauguration, grew up on a Virginia plantation, became a lawyer, and went on to become the nation’s tenth president after the death of his predecessor, William Henry Harrison in 1841.
Tyler was added the ticket as Harrison’s running mate initially to attract southerners who it was feared would think Harrison had abolitionist leanings.
Tyler himself was a lifelong slave owner and champion of states’ rights. He had previously been a governor of Virginia and a United States representative and senator.
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Source: Daily Mail
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