James K. Polk
11th President
Born: 1795 Died: 1849 Served: 1845 - 1849

Vice-President George M. Dallas
Political Party Democrat
College University of N.C.
Occupation Lawyer
Birthplace Pineville, North Carolina
Place of Burial Nashville, Tennessee

Pop Quiz Facts

* 1844: Wins presidential election by a slim margin after narrowly taking the Democratic nomination on the ninth ballot.
* 1848: Signs treaty with Mexico to end two-year war.

Interesting Facts

* Born a Presbyterian, Polk was baptized a Methodist a week before he died.
* He was a great-grandnewphew of John Knox, founder of Scottish Presbyterianism.
* He spent only 37 days away from his desk during his four years as president.
* Before the advent of anesthetics and antiseptics, Polk survived a gallstone operation at age 17.
* Sarah Polk hosted the first annual White House Thanksgiving dinner.
* The telegraph was used to relay political news for the time to announce Polk's nomination.

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