Early Life - Political Pathway
James Knox Polk was born in Pineville, North Carolina in 1795. He graduated in mathematics and the classics with honors from the University of North Carolina in 1818. Shortly after graduating he returned to Tennessee determined to become a lawyer. Proving successful at this profession at the age of 27, Polk decided to leave his law practice and served in the Tennessee legislature. During his term he became a close companion of fellow Democrat Andrew Jackson. Also during his service as a state representative he married Sarah Childress, the daughter of a prominent merchant. Moving on from the legislature, James Polk was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from 1825-1839. Polk would later leave his congressional position to return home and successfully run for Governor of Tennessee. In 1844, the Democratic party presidential front runners were Lewis Cass and Martin Van Buren. Since they failed to bring in any suffiencent support for nomination, James K. Polk was brought in as the "Wildcard" candidate to oppose the Whig Parties popular candidate Henry Clay. Polk had a vision for the country to expand from coast to coast. Fortunately for him, Americans felt the same way and James K. Polk was elected and became the 11th President of the United States.