James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States who was also the 13th Speaker of the House of Representatives _ the only person to do so.

Polk, a Democrat, was also the 9th Governor of Tennessee.

Andrew Jackson was Polk's idol and was called "Young Hickory" was many political friends and foes in response to Jackson's "Old Hickory" nickname.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina with honors in 1818, the only POTUS from the school.

Scholars have rated Polk one of the most productive Presidents in the country's history.

During his four-year term (1845-49), Polk:

  • Annexed Texas
  • Reached a compromise for the Oregon Territory with the UK
  • Won the Mexican-American War
  • Reinstated the Independent Treasury System

Polk also saw the opening of the United States Naval Academy, the Smithsonian Institution, groundbreaking for the Washington Monument and the issuance of the first U.S. Postage Stamp.

Polk promised to only serve one term. He left the White House in 1849, returning to Tennessee where he died three months later from cholera.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org