US History - James K. Polk

The 11th President of the U.S. was James K. Polk had served as Speaker of the House from 1835 to 1839 and Governor of Tennessee from 1839 to 1841 before defeating Henry Clay for president in 1844 with his promise to annex Texas. He was also a prominent leader of Jacksonian Democracy. He was born on November 02, 1795 in Pineville, North Carolina and died on June 15, 1849.