James K. Polk

James Knox Polk (November 2 1795 – June 15 1849) was the eleventh President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, but mostly lived in and represented the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) prior to becoming president. He is (as of 2005) the only former Speaker of the House to become President. He is noted for his expansionist beliefs, for his pledge to serve only one term, and for becoming the first "dark horse" (a candidate who unexpectedly gains the party nomination) to win the presidency.

References

• Bergeron, Paul H. The Presidency of James K. Polk. 1986. ISBN 0700603190.
• Cutler, Wayne, et. al. Correspondence of James K. Polk: July–December 1845. 2004. ISBN 1572333049.
• Dusinberre, William. Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk. 2003. ISBN 0195157354.
• Haynes, Sam W. James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse. 2001. ISBN 0321087984.
• Leonard, Thomas M. James K. Polk: A Clear and Unquestionable Destiny. 2000. ISBN 0842026479.
• McCormac, Eugene Irving.James K. Polk: A Political Biography to the End of a Career 1845-1849. 1995. ISBN 094570710X.
• Schlesinger, Arthur M., and John Seigenthaler. James K. Polk: 1845–1849. 2003. ISBN 0805069429.