James K. Polk (1795-1849)
James Knox Polk, 11th President of the United States (1845-1849)
He was preceded in the Presidency by John Tyler and after serving one term in office for the Democrats he was succeeded in 1849 by Zachary Taylor. His Vice-President was George Mifflin Dallas. He was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and moved with his family to Tennessee in his youth. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1818 and became a successful lawyer before entering politics. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives and later in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was Speaker from 1835 to 1839 and then Governor of Tennessee from 1839 to 1841. The U.S. Presidential Election of 1844 was a very tight race with Polk beating Henry Clay by 40,000 votes in the national popular vote.
As President, Polk was remarkably successful in achieving his ambitious agenda. He oversaw the largest territorial expansion in American history, fulfilling his campaign promise of "Manifest Destiny." During his presidency, the U.S. acquired vast territories including California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming through the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). He also secured the Oregon Territory through negotiations with Britain, establishing the 49th parallel as the northern border. Polk kept his promise to serve only one term and chose not to seek re-election. He died just 103-days after leaving office on June 15, 1849, at his home Polk Place in Nashville, Tennessee, making his the shortest post-presidency in American history. In 1824, he married Sarah Childress. They died without children.
As President, Polk was remarkably successful in achieving his ambitious agenda. He oversaw the largest territorial expansion in American history, fulfilling his campaign promise of "Manifest Destiny." During his presidency, the U.S. acquired vast territories including California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming through the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). He also secured the Oregon Territory through negotiations with Britain, establishing the 49th parallel as the northern border. Polk kept his promise to serve only one term and chose not to seek re-election. He died just 103-days after leaving office on June 15, 1849, at his home Polk Place in Nashville, Tennessee, making his the shortest post-presidency in American history. In 1824, he married Sarah Childress. They died without children.
