Hollywood Cemetery – Presidents – No Vice & No Virtue

This is a continuation of my series on famous burials in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA. Other posts in the series can be viewed here. The information was researched and produced in the summer of 2011 for The Gettysburg Daily.

The thing that initially attracted me to Hollywood Cemetery was the fact that two U.S. Presidents are buried there. Once I actually got on the grounds to look for their graves, I noticed a bunch of names that are familiar to a Civil War nerd and the idea for this series was born.

The first really notable burial in the cemetery was President James Monroe.

James Monroe - <i>Portrait by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Morse" target="_blank">Samuel Morse</a></i> — James Monroe – *Portrait by Samuel Morse*

Originally buried in New York City (since he died there while living with his daughter) Monroe’s body was moved back to Virginia in 1858. Apparently the Virginia legislature could not tolerate the idea of one of their Presidents resting in a northern city.

James Monroe's gravesite in Hollywood Cemetery marked by a red square. - <i>Map by the author</i> — James Monroe’s gravesite in Hollywood Cemetery marked by a red square. – *Map by the author*

His tomb is incredibly ornate, and easily stands out within the cemetery.

James Monroe's Tomb - <i>Photo by John Dolan</i> — James Monroe’s Tomb – *Photo by John Dolan*

I talk a little bit about President Monroe’s life in this brief video:

The second U.S. President buried at Hollywood is a man who is not necessarily a household name, but a very interesting figure nonetheless: John Tyler.

President John Tyler - <i>Portrait by George P.A. Healy</i> — President John Tyler – *Portrait by George P.A. Healy*

Tyler’s grave is found just a few yards from Monroe’s in the aptly-named “Presidents Circle” section of Hollywood Cemetery.

President John Tyler's gravesite marked by a red square. - <i>Map by the author</i> — President John Tyler’s gravesite marked by a red square. – *Map by the author*

His monument is quite large, and features a bust on one side.

President John Tyler's Monument - <i>Photo by John Dolan</i> — President John Tyler’s Monument – *Photo by John Dolan*

A closer view of the bust on Tyler's monument. President Monroe's tomb is visible in the background. - <i>Photo by John Dolan</i> — A closer view of the bust on Tyler’s monument. President Monroe’s tomb is visible in the background. – *Photo by John Dolan*

In this video I give a bit of information on Tyler, who was an exceptionally interesting 19th century political figure. When the Civil War broke out, he sided with the Confederacy – even going so far as to be elected to the Confederate Congress – but he died before he could assume that office. As a result of his rebel status, he remains the only U.S. President to not be officially mourned following his death.

Speaking of Confederates, there is one more President buried in Hollywood Cemetery: Jefferson Davis, the only President of the Confederate States of America.