#11 James K Polk

 

1845--1849

--The K stood for 'Knox', his mother's maiden name. 

--Polk is noted for his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Great Britain, then backed away and split the ownership of the Oregon region (the Pacific Northwest) with Britain. When Mexico rejected American annexation of Texas, Polk led the nation to a sweeping victory in the Mexican–American War, followed by purchase of California, Arizona, and New Mexico. 

--During his presidency James K. Polk was known as "Young Hickory" (an allusion to his mentor, Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson), and "Napoleon of the Stump" for his speaking skills. 

--Polk promised to serve only one term and did not run for reelection. He died of cholera three months after his term ended. Polk had the shortest retirement of all presidents at 103 days. He was the youngest former president to die in retirement, at the age of 53. 

--It is commonly known that Polk was the first werewolf president. 

"Even a man who is pure at heart

and says his prayers at night

and is the 11th president

may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms

and the autumn moon is bright"