First Ladies of the United States: Priscilla Cooper Tyler

In one Administration that was less than one full-term there were four women who served as First Ladies – two of them were married to the President, and two of them were not. The President was John Tyler and he was the first to assume the office without being directly elected to it; rather he had been the vice presidential candidate on the winning ticket which William Henry Harrison headed as the presidential candidate. President Harrison, of course, died after thirty days in office and Tyler assumed the position. When Tyler moved into the White House in late April of 1841 he brought the largest First Family to date to live in the mansion.

Priscilla Cooper Tyler was an actress in New York City, but gave up her stage career to marry wealthy Southerner, Robert Tyler. In 1841, the sudden death of President William Henry Harrison led to the ascendency of her father-in-law, Vice President John Tyler, to the presidency. She and her husband moved into the White House to assist with the management of the Executive Mansion. First Lady Letitia Tyler was unable to act as White House hostess due to a myriad of health conditions, so Priscilla stepped into the role. She served as an enthusiastic and sociable surrogate first lady from 1842 until moving to Philadelphia with her husband in 1844.