Priscilla Cooper Tyler

Elizabeth Priscilla Cooper Tyler was born on June 14, 1816, in New York City. She was the third of nine children born to Thomas Abthorpe Cooper, a stage actor and producer, and Mary Fairlie Cooper, a New York socialite. Her maternal grandfather was James Fairlie, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. Her mother's death occurred in 1833, and her father’s financial instability, combined with gambling issues, led to family financial difficulties, especially following the Panic of 1837.

At age 17, Cooper began her acting career, performing alongside her father. She appeared in productions such as Virginius and Othello from 1835 to 1838. Her acting career was part of a family well-off until economic downturns caused hardship. During this period, Cooper met Robert Tyler, the eldest son of John Tyler, a prominent politician who was serving as a U.S. senator and later became Vice President and then President. Their courtship was notable for multiple proposals, and they married on September 12, 1839, in Bristol, Virginia.

Following their marriage, the couple moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, where they resided with Robert Tyler’s family. Priscilla rapidly integrated into the Tyler family dynamics, developing close relationships with John Tyler—who was then Vice President—and his wife, First Lady Letitia Christian Tyler. During their time in Williamsburg, she assisted Robert with his legal career by preparing speeches and case materials, though her father’s disapproval of the marriage, rooted in political loyalties and societal class distinctions, persisted.

In 1841, President William Henry Harrison died shortly after inauguration, resulting in John Tyler assuming the presidency. As Vice President, Tyler moved into the White House, and due to First Lady Letitia Tyler's health issues, Priscilla Tyler was designated as the White House hostess during her husband's presidency from 1841 to 1844. She was 25 years old at that time. Her experience in entertainment and her youth were viewed as assets in her role as first lady. Tyler coordinated social functions including dinners, receptions, and larger public events, often hosting around 1,000 guests monthly.

She was involved in notable events such as the dedication of the Bunker Hill Monument during a trip to Boston in June 1843, making her the first first lady to travel with a presidential party. Her hosting responsibilities also included organizing receptions that attracted significant attendance, such as a 3,000-person event honoring Washington Irving and Charles Dickens in March 1842, despite being seven months pregnant at the time. Additionally, she initiated the practice of concerts by the United States Marine Band on the White House lawn.

Following the death of Letitia Tyler in September 1842, Priscilla Tyler effectively served as the de facto first lady, overseeing White House social affairs. Her tenure was characterized by her management of social functions amid a politically polarized environment. Her efforts contributed to the social harmony of the presidency, even amid controversial political circumstances.

Priscilla Tyler left the White House subsequent to her husband's preparation for remarriage. She then moved to Philadelphia and later settled in Montgomery, Alabama, in the Southern United States. During the American Civil War, she and her husband sided with the Confederate States of America. She lived in relative obscurity until her death on December 29, 1889, in Montgomery.