James K. Polk
11th President of the United States
(March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849)
Full Name: James Knox Polk
Nickname: "Young Hickory"
Born: November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Died: June 15, 1849, in Nashville, Tennessee
Father: Samuel Polk (1768-1827)
Mother: Jane Gracy Knox Polk (1776-1852)
Married: Sarah Childress (1803-1891), on January 1, 1824
Children: None
Religion: Presbyterian
Education: Graduated from the University of North Carolina (1818)
Occupation: Lawyer
Political Party: Democrat
Other Government Positions:
- Member of Tennessee House of Representatives, 1823-25
- Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1825-39
- Speaker of the House, 1835-39
- Governor of Tennessee, 1839-41
Presidential Salary: $25,000/year
Presidential Election Results:
Year Candidate Popular Votes Electoral Votes
1844 James K. Polk 1,338,464 170
(map) Henry Clay 1,300,097 105
Vice President: George M. Dallas (1845-1849)
Cabinet:
- Secretary of State
- James Buchanan (1845-1849)
- Secretary of the Treasury
- Robert J. Walker (1845-1849)
- Secretary of War
- William L. Marcy (1845-1849)
- Attorney General
- John Y. Mason (1845-46)
Nathan Clifford (1846-48)
Isaac Toucey (1848-49) - Postmaster General
- Cave Johnson (1845-1849)
- Secretary of the Navy
- George Bancroft (1845-46)
John Y. Mason (1846-49)
Supreme Court Justices:
Levi Woodbury (1845-1851)
Robert Cooper Grier (1846-1870)
Notable Events:
- 1846
- On May 13, U.S. declared war on Mexico.
- On June 15, the Oregon Treaty with the United Kingdom signed establishing the northern border of the Oregon Territory.
- 1847
- On February 23, General Zachary Taylor's army defeated Mexican forces at the Battle of Buena Vista.
- 1848
- On January 24, gold discovered in California. Polk confirmed the discovery in a Congressional address on December 5.
- On February 2, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed to end the Mexican-American War. The U.S. took control over territory that became California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
Internet Biographies:
- James K. Polk -- from The Presidents of the United States of America
- Compiled by the White House.
- James Polk -- from The American President
- From the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, in addition to information on the Presidents themselves, they have first lady and cabinet member biographies, listings of presidential staff and advisers, and timelines detailing significant events in the lives of each administration.
- James K. Polk -- from Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Facts about Polk and his presidency.
- James Knox Polk -- from People in THE WEST
- Based on the documentary THE WEST by Ken Burns and Stephen Ives, this biographical sketch focuses on Polk's role in expanding the U.S. borders westward.
- James K. Polk -- from the North Carolina Encyclopedia
- A text-rich biography on this North Carolina native.
Videos:
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America's Presidents - James K. PolkPolk Sterile After Bladder Stone Surgery - a Presidential Story Ep. 40James K. Polk | 60-Second Presidents | PBSJames K. Polk HomeAmerican Artifacts Preview: James K. Polk Ancestral Home1 / 2
Historical Documents:
- Inaugural Address (1845)
- War Message (1846)
- James K. Polk Digital Collections - from the Library of Congress
Other Internet Resources:
- The Best Biographies of James Polk
- In 2012, Stephen Floyd started his search for the best biography of each president. He usually has reviews of multiple biographies for each president.
- Health and Medical History of James Polk
- Medical background of each president with references. Compiled by John Sotos, MD.
- President James K. Polk Home and Museum
- The only surviving Polk residence (other than the White House) provides tours, exhibitions, and events.
- President James K. Polk State Historic Site
- Located on land once owned by Polk's parents, there is a reconstructed log house and visitor center.
Points of Interest:
301 West 7th Street, Columbia, Tennessee
600 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee
12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, NC 28134
301 West 7th Street, Columbia, Tennessee
600 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee
12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, NC 28134
Additional Facts:
- A week before he died, Polk was baptized a Methodist.
- Gaslights were installed in the White House while Polk was a resident.
- Polk survived a bladder stone operation at age 17 without anesthesia or antiseptics. Those medical practices were not used at the time.
- The first annual White House Thanksgiving dinner was hosted by Sarah Polk.
- Sarah Polk was a devout Presbyterian. She banned dancing, card-playing and alcoholic beverages in the White House.
- News of Polk's nomination was widely disseminated using the telegraph. The first time this had been done.
- Polk's mother, Jane, was the first parent to outlive their presidential offspring.
Quotes:“With me it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses.”
“I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant and will become a sovereign.”
“With me it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses.”
“I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant and will become a sovereign.”