http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk See pictures from the life and presidency of James K. Polk. en Copyright 2013, History.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-06-19T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo1 In 1795, James Knox Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo2 Polk grew up on his father's plantation in Tennessee and attended the University of North Carolina, from which he graduated with honors in 1818. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo3 Polk's first lady was Sarah Childress Polk. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo4 Like many presidents before and after him, he worked as a lawyer before entering politics. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo5 Polk was the Speaker of the House and governor of Tennessee before running for president. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo6 Although many considered him a "dark horse," he won the presidency in 1844 with the backing of Andrew Jackson. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo7 As president, Polk earned a reputation for being a workaholic and is remembered for his conviction that it was America's "manifest destiny" to expand freely across the continent and spread democracy. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo8 In 1846, spurred by a desire to gain Mexican territory for the United States, Polk led the country into a controversial war with its southern neighbor. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo9 Although the Mexican-American War was ultimately successful in territorial terms, Polk lost public support after two bloody years of conflict in which the U.S. lost 13,780 men and spent a whopping $100 million. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo10 Knowing his chances at winning a second term against the war hero Zachary Taylor were slim, Polk bowed out of the 1848 campaign. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo10 http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo11 Polk died three months after leaving office from an intestinal disorder that his doctors claimed was aggravated by overwork. http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk/photo11