# James K. Polk > President of the United States from 1845 to 1849 (1795–1849) **Wikidata**: [Q11891](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11891) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/james-k-polk ## Summary James K. Polk was the eleventh President of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. Born in 1795 and passing away in 1849, he was a prominent American politician, lawyer, and statesperson. His presidency is his most significant role, defining his place in the history of the United States. ## Biography - Born: 1795 - Died: 1849 - Nationality: United States - Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Known for: President of the United States from 1845 to 1849 - Employer(s): United States government (as President) - Field(s): politician, lawyer, statesperson ## Contributions James K. Polk's primary contribution was his service as President of the United States from 1845 to 1849. His tenure as president led to his recognition, with various geographical and man-made entities being named in his honor. These include multiple Polk Counties across several U.S. states, the USS James K. Polk submarine, the James K. Polk State Office Building, and Polk Street. ## FAQs **Who was James K. Polk?** James K. Polk was the President of the United States from 1845 to 1849. He was also known as a politician, lawyer, and statesperson. **When did James K. Polk serve as President?** James K. Polk served as President of the United States for one term, from 1845 to 1849. He was born in 1795 and died in 1849. **What was James K. Polk's educational background?** James K. Polk was affiliated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, which was established in 1789. **What entities are named after James K. Polk?** Numerous entities are named in honor of James K. Polk, including Polk Counties in Nebraska, Georgia, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Arkansas, Missouri, Florida, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Additionally, the USS James K. Polk submarine, the James K. Polk State Office Building in Nashville, Tennessee, and Polk Street in California bear his name. ## Why They Matter James K. Polk matters due to his significant role as President of the United States during a pivotal period from 1845 to 1849. His leadership as a politician and statesperson shaped the nation, leading to his lasting recognition across the country. The numerous counties, a naval vessel, a state office building, and a street named in his honor attest to his enduring impact and the historical significance of his presidency. Without his contributions, the historical landscape and recognition of his era would be different. ## Notable For * President of the United States from 1845 to 1849 * Identified as a politician, lawyer, and statesperson * Affiliated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill * Subject of various geographical and man-made namesakes, including: * Polk County (Nebraska, Georgia, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Arkansas, Missouri, Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin) * USS James K. Polk, a 1965 Benjamin Franklin-class submarine * James K. Polk State Office Building in Nashville, Tennessee * Polk Street in California ## Body ### Overview James K. Polk was the eleventh President of the United States, serving a single term from 1845 to 1849. He was born in 1795 and passed away in 1849. Known by several aliases including James Knox Polk, James Polk, J. K. Polk, J. Polk, and President Polk, he is recognized as a human and a member of the planter class. His primary identity is that of a politician, lawyer, and statesperson. ### Career and Public Service James K. Polk held the highest office in the United States, serving as President from 1845 to 1849. This role positioned him as a central figure in the United States government, a country located primarily in North America. The United States' inception dates back to July 4, 1776, with its independence recognized on May 12, 1784. As President, he was a key civil servant and politician, embodying the role of a statesperson. Prior to or alongside his political career, he was also a legal professional, identified as a lawyer. ### Education James K. Polk was affiliated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This institution is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. It was established on December 11, 1789. ### Legacy and Recognition The impact and recognition of James K. Polk are evident through various entities named in his honor across the United States. These namesakes serve as a testament to his historical significance. #### Geographical Namesakes Multiple counties across the United States bear the name Polk County, commemorating James K. Polk: * **Polk County, Arkansas:** Inception on November 30, 1844. * **Polk County, Iowa:** Inception in 1846. * **Polk County, Texas:** Inception in 1846. * **Polk County, Missouri:** Inception on January 5, 1835. * **Polk County, Tennessee:** Inception on November 28, 1839. * **Polk County, Georgia:** Inception on December 20, 1851. * **Polk County, Wisconsin:** Inception in 1853. * **Polk County, Nebraska:** Inception in 1856. * **Polk County, Minnesota:** Inception on July 20, 1858. * **Polk County, Florida:** Inception on February 8, 1861. #### Other Namesakes Beyond geographical locations, other significant entities have been named after James K. Polk: * **USS James K. Polk:** This is a 1965 Benjamin Franklin-class submarine, reflecting his enduring legacy in national defense. * **James K. Polk State Office Building:** Located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, this building was established in 1981, serving as a governmental landmark. * **Polk Street:** A street in California, United States of America, also bears his name, indicating his widespread recognition. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. The Peerage 4. [A New Nation Votes: American Electoral Returns, 1788-1825](https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/PJ0736) 5. International Standard Name Identifier 6. Open Library 7. CiNii Research 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. [Source](https://archives.nypl.org/mss/17764) 10. Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk 11. SNAC 12. Find a Grave 13. NCpedia 14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 15. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 16. GeneaStar 17. Roglo 18. Croatian Encyclopedia 19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 20. Czech National Authority Database 21. [Source](https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/PJ0736) 22. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 23. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/interactive/2022/congress-slaveowners-names-list/) 24. Enciclopedia Treccani 25. LIBRIS. 2007 26. Dizionario di Storia 27. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Polk-James-Knox;3959637.html) 28. Golden 29. FactGrid 30. KBpedia 31. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands