- **Born:** November 2, 1795 in Pineville, [[North Carolina]] - **Parents:** Samuel Polk (farmer, surveyor, and slave owner) and Jane Knox Polk - **Spouse:** Sarah Childress Polk - **Children:** No children - **Died:** June 15, 1849 in Nashville, Tennessee - **Highest Office:** 11th President of the [[United States of America (USA)]] (1845-1849) - **Other Notable Positions:** Speaker of the House of Representatives, U.S. Representative from [[Tennessee]], Governor of Tennessee - **Party Affiliation:** Democratic Party - **Historical Note:** Known as the "dark horse" candidate who won the presidency in 1844. Achieved all of his major campaign goals in one term: lowered tariffs, established independent treasury, settled Oregon boundary dispute, and acquired California and much of the Southwest through the Mexican-American War. His presidency significantly expanded U.S. territory but also intensified the slavery debate.