History:This is one of two Cooper portraits of Polk. One was loaned to the TN State Library by the TN Historical Society in 1908. A second Cooper portrait of the subject was given to the State Library from the estate of Percy D. Maddin in 1941. It was displayed on the balcony in the library until it was placed in the Governor's mansion, where it currently resides.
Notes:James K. Polk (1795-1849) was born into a well-to-do family in North Carolina and came to Tennessee as a youth. He studied at Murfreesboro College and at the University of North Carolina. He was graduated in 1818 with academic honors, the first college graduate to serve as governor of TN. Polk studied law with Felix Grundy and set up a law office in Columbia. A skilled orator and a friend of Andrew Jackson, he was dubbed "Young Hickory." Having served in the state legislature, Polk was elected to Congress in 1825 and served 7 terms. He beat Newton Cannon in his bid for re-election in 1839 and was elected governor. Polk believed strongly in education as a fundamental need for a truly free people, and advocated land sales to fund education. He lost two bids for re-election but in 1845 was elected president of the United States. After serving one term as President, Polk returned to home and soon died of cholera in 1849. He was buried in the Old Nashville City Cemetery until William Strickland completed his mausoleum at his home. He and his wife were moved to the Capital grounds early in the 20th century when the Polk property was sold. His wife, Sarah Childress gave many of his papers and possessions to the TN Historical Society.
