James Knox Polk (2 November 1795 - 15 June 1849) was the 11th president of the United States (1845–49). A Democrat, Polk served as the 13th speaker of the House of Representatives (1835–39)—the only president to have served as House speaker—and governor of Tennessee (1839–41). Polk was the surprise (dark horse) candidate for president in 1844, defeating Henry Clay of the rival Whig Party by promising to annex Texas. Polk was a leader of Jacksonian Democracy during the Second Party System. His nickname was "Young Hickory" because of his close association with "Old Hickory", Andrew Jackson.
Biography information from
Wikiquote·
Portrait adapted from
Wikimedia Commons, George Peter Alexander Healy (Public domain / CC0)
Also Known As
Pen Names:
Young Hickory
Birth Name:
James Knox Polk
Alternative Names:
James Polk
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J. K. Polk
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J. Polk
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President Polk
It becomes us, in humility, to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favored.
The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.
Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our Government.
