Library of Congress
- NAME – James Knox Polk
- NICKNAME(S) – Young Hickory / Napoleon of the West
- BIRTH / DEATH – Nov. 2, 1795 Pineville, N.C. / 1849 – Nashville
- FATHER – farmer
- MOTHER – housewife
- COLLEGE – University of North Carolina
- WIFE – Sarah
- KIDS – none
- PETS – a horse
- RELIGION – born Presbyterian, converted to Methodist
- ANCESTRY – Scotch-Irish
- AGE – 49
FIRSTS:
– first President who was survived by his mother
MA AND PA:
BACKGROUND:
– Tennessee House of Representatives 1823-25
– Congressman 1825-39 (Speaker of the House 1835-39)
– Governor of Tennessee 1839-41
– lost for governor in 1841 & 1843
FIRST LADY: Sarah came from a wealthy family. She attended Salem Female Academy. She would read political papers for her husband when he was President and helped with his speeches. She lived 42 more years after James died. She only wore black and only left the house to attend church.
RETIREMENT: Polk was always sickly and he worked himself to death as President. He was a workaholic who had no hobbies. He died soon after leaving office.
TRIVIA:
– he was born in a log cabin, the last of ten kids
– as a child he suffered from stomach ailments; at age 17, he had gallstones removed without anesthesia
– he could read Greek and Latin
– favorite food – cornbread
– he and his wife banned alcohol and playing cards in the White House; occasionally bands played, but no dancing!