James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 ??June 15, 1849) was the 11th President of the United States (1845??9). Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 13th Speaker of the House of Representatives (1835??9)?he only president to have served as House Speaker?nd Governor of Tennessee (1839??1).

Polk was the surprise (dark horse) candidate for president in 1844, defeating Henry Clay of the rival Whig Party by promising to annex the Republic of Texas. Polk was a leader of Jacksonian Democracy during the Second Party System.