Born in 1795, James Polk served 7 terms as a US Congressman, twice as Speaker of the House, the governor of Tennessee, and was the infamous Dark Horse candidate for president in 1844. Though he served one term (as a campaign promise), he oversaw the greatest expansion of US territory in United States history, the first US invasion of another country, and established the independent treasury.
About the Polks
Few people have accomplished more in their political career than James K. Polk. As a U.S. Congressman, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor of Tennessee, and by age 49, President of the United States, he had his wife Sarah by his side acting as his closest advisor. Together they changed America, doing much to expand its boundaries from Atlantic to Pacific.
Timeline
Who was Sarah Polk?
Sarah’s education and political interests were assets for her ambitious husband. During James K. Polk’s years as a Congressman, Tennessee Governor, and eventually President, Sarah served as his unofficial advisor and secretary. Because she could intelligently converse about government, she earned the respect of the era’s prominent politicians.
Fun Facts
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