Only one person in U.S. history has served as both President and Vice President: John Tyler.
How Did John Tyler Become President?
John Tyler became Vice President under President William Henry Harrison in 1841. However, President Harrison died just one month into his term, making Tyler the first Vice President to assume the presidency.
Other Individuals Who Served in Both Roles
While no other person has held both the presidency and vice presidency, some individuals have served in both roles but not consecutively:
- Martin Van Buren served as Vice President under President Andrew Jackson and later became President himself.
- John C. Calhoun served as Vice President under Presidents John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson before later serving as Secretary of State under President John Tyler.
Conclusion
John Tyler's unique experience of becoming president after serving as vice president highlights the complex and often unpredictable nature of American politics.
