Presidents and the Potomac
For the politicians, civil servants, and accompanying citizenry of the new federal government—freshly arrived in 1800 from comfortable, sophisticated Philadelphia—the...
James K. Polk
- Artist
- George P. A. Healy
- Date of Work
- 1858
- Type
- Portrait
- Credit
- White House Collection/White House Historical Association
James K. Polk
This oil on canvas painting of President James Polk was done by popular portraitist George Peter Alexander Healy in 1858, nine years after Polk's death. Prior to his time in the White House, Polk served in the House of Representatives and was governor of Tennessee. He served as president from March 4, 1845 until March 4, 1849. He added to the size of the country by annexing the Republic of Texas and acquiring California, New Mexico, and the Oregon Territory, which includes the current day states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming.
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