Tyler v. Boston was a United States Supreme Court case that was decided in 1868. The case involved a dispute between the City of Boston and the estate of a deceased man, John Tyler. Tyler had owned a wharf in Boston, and the City had taken possession of it after his death. The estate argued that the City had taken the wharf without due process of law, and that the City was liable for damages. The Supreme Court held that the City of Boston had taken the wharf without due process of law, and that the estate was entitled to damages. The Court reasoned that the City had not provided the estate with notice of the taking, nor had it provided an opportunity for the estate to be heard. The Court also held that the City was liable for the damages caused by the taking, and that the estate was entitled to compensation for the value of the wharf. The decision in Tyler v. Boston established the principle that the government must provide due process of law when taking private property. This decision has been cited in numerous subsequent cases, and has been used to protect the rights of property owners.

In Tyler v. Boston, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a city ordinance that prohibited African Americans from residing in certain parts of the city violated their constitutional rights. The majority opinion held that it did not violate any rights and upheld the ordinance. However, Justice Field dissented from this decision and argued that such an ordinance was unconstitutional because it deprived African Americans of equal protection under the law as guaranteed by both state constitutions and federal statutes. He further stated that while states have broad authority to regulate public health, safety, morals, or convenience within their borders they cannot do so at the expense of fundamental civil liberties like freedom of residence for all citizens regardless of race or color.