Who took over the presidency after William Henry Harrison's death?

John Tyler ascended to the presidency following the death of William Henry Harrison. This event marked a significant moment in American political history as Tyler was the first vice president to become president due to the death of his predecessor. Harrison died just 32 days after his inauguration, making his term the shortest in American history.

Tyler's assumption of the presidency set a crucial precedent regarding presidential succession. Before this time, there was little clarity on what should happen if a president died in office. Tyler firmly believed in the full powers of the presidency, maintaining that he was not merely acting as president but was the legitimate president himself. This established the principle that the vice president occupies the position of president rather than simply filling the role temporarily.

Understanding this transition is important because it highlights how the United States has handled presidential succession and reinforced the continuity of government during times of crisis.