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Secondary sourceBook1884

The Letters and Times of the Tylers

Lyon Gardiner Tyler · 1884

A family history by Lyon G. Tyler built on letters and papers of John Tyler and his family, covering his presidency.

A family history by Tyler's own son, built on his letters and papers, shaping how his presidency was remembered.

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About this source

What it is

This multi-volume work, published in 1884 by Lyon Gardiner Tyler, gathers the letters and papers of the Tyler family, including John Tyler, to tell the history of his life, presidency and family.

Why it matters

Written by Tyler's own son, this book preserves and interprets family letters that might otherwise be lost, offering insight into both Tyler's presidency and how his descendants wished him to be remembered.

Look closer

  • Why might a family member be especially motivated to collect and publish these letters?
  • How might a book written by a son about his father differ from an independent historian's account?
  • What advantages and limits come from using family letters as historical evidence?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Tyler on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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John Tyler

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