James K. Polk

US President

Birthday November 2, 1795

Birth Sign Scorpio

Birthplace Pineville, NC

DEATH DATE Jun 15, 1849 (53)

#14370 Most Popular

About

Eleventh President of the United States who led the nation to victory in the Mexican-American War, which gave the U.S. most of its present Southwest.

Before Fame

He worked as a clerk for the Tennessee State Senate after graduating from the University of North Carolina.

Trivia

He was nicknamed the Napoleon of the Stump for his oratorical effectiveness.

Family Life

He was distantly related to religious reformer John Knox through his mother. He married Sarah Childress in 1824, but they did not have children.

Associated With

He was succeeded by Zachary Taylor.