Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/75

JOHN TYLER JOHN TYLER, tenth president of the United States, born at Greenway, Charles City County, Va., March 29, 1790; died in Richmond, Va., Janu ary 18, 1862. He was the second son of Judge John Tyler and Mary Armistead. In early boy hood he attended the small school kept by John McMurdo, who was so diligent in his use of the birch that in later years Mr. Tyler said "it was a wonder he did not whip all the sense out of his scholars." At the age of eleven young Tyler was one of the ring-leaders in a rebellion in which the despotic McMurdo was overpowered by numbers, tied hand and foot, and left locked up in the school- house until late at night, when a passing traveller effected an entrance and released him. On com plaining to Judge Tyler, the indignant school master was met with the apt reply, "Sic semper tyrannis!" The future president was graduated at William and Mary in 1807. At college he showed a strong interest in ancient history. He was also fond Q poetry and music, and, like Thomas Jefferson, was a skilful performer on the violin. In 1809 he was admitted to the bar, and 51