First Ladies of the United States: Julia Tyler

The second wife of President John Tyler, Julia Gardiner was born into wealth and influence on May 4, 1820, on Gardiner's Island, New York. She was the third of four children of lawyer David Gardiner and heiress Juliana McLachlan Gardiner. The family was acutely aware of the advantages of marital alliances, social exclusivity, and money. Julia was schooled in an elite private academy for girls and trained in the female subjects of the times: music, French literature, ancient history, and composition. When she was 19, she went on a year-long European tour designed to meet appropriate suitors. On a visit to Washington in early 1842, the family was invited to a reception at the White House, where Julia was first introduced to President John Tyler. Priscilla Cooper Tyler, the president's daughter-in-law, presided as official hostess as First Lady Letitia Tyler was confined to a wheelchair in a second-floor bedroom.

Julia Tyler (born May 4, 1820, Gardiners Island, New York, U.S.—died July 10, 1889, Richmond, Virginia) was an American first lady (June 26, 1844–March 4, 1845), the wife of John Tyler, 10th president of the United States.

Information on the life and work of Julia Tyler from the White House Historical Association.