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Curtis Jerry Smothers
Teacher . Editor . Poet . Writing Coach . Historian . Online Tutor
Nine U.S. VP's Who Became President
Eight vice presidents have inherited the presidency because the president died in office. A ninth, Gerald Ford, succeeded after a resignation and is often included in discussions of presidents who reached the White House unexpectedly. Some struggled under circumstances they could not master; others became among the nation’s most consequential leaders.
Click on each portrait for a quick summary of what became of what some wag described as "His Accidency." The final link is to an easy reference chart.
Vice Presidents Tyler, Fillmore, and Andrew Johnson took office on the deaths of Presidents Harrison, Taylor, and Lincoln.
Vice Presidents Arthur, Roosevelt, and Coolige took office on the deaths of Presidents Garfield, McKinley, and Wilson
Vice Presidents Truman and Lyndon Johnson took office on the deaths of Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy. Vice President Ford was appointed by President Nixon, who resigned
Summary Chart of VPs
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