America at 250 Series
James K. Polk was born in 1795 in the North Carolina backcountry, a sickly boy who, at seventeen, survived a bladder-stone operation done without anesthesia. He grew up quiet, disciplined, and relentless.
He studied law, married a sharp-witted woman named Sarah who would be his closest advisor, and went to Congress, where he became Andrew Jackson’s man in the House. They called him Young Hickory.
In 1844, he was the first dark-horse nominee in American history, and he won the presidency on a promise to expand the country to the Pacific. He meant it. He settled the Oregon boundary with Britain. He provoked a war with Mexico and took everything from Texas to California. In four years, he added more land to the United States than anyone but Jefferson.
He promised to serve only one term, and he kept his word. He died three months after leaving office, worn out at fifty-three.
