U.S. presidential election, 1840
Summary
Facing bad economic times and a Whig Party unified behind war hero William Henry Harrison, President Martin Van Buren was easily defeated for re-election in 1840 by "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too."
The election of 1840 was also somewhat unique in that electors would cast votes for four men who ultimately would serve as President of the United States: current President Martin Van Buren; President-elect William Henry Harrison; John Tyler, who would succeed Harrison upon his death; and James Polk, who received one electoral vote for Vice President.
During a storm, Harrison would give the longest inaugural speech in history on March 4, 1841. Contracting pneumonia, Harrison would become the first President to die in office one month later on April 4, 1841.
Election Results
For More Information
President of the United States, U.S. presidential election, 1840, History of the United States (1776-1865)
