James K. Polk: The Mexican-American War and the Daguerreian Era
The presidency of James Knox Polk is underscored, among other things, by the War with Mexico. Amidst a military confrontation...
James Polk's cabinet
- Date of Work
- 1846
- Medium
- Daguerreotype
- Credit
- James K. Polk Memorial
James Polk's cabinet
President Polk and his cabinet assembled in the State Dining Room. An image of dual historical significance: the earliest photographic record of a White House interior and the first photograph of a U.S. President and his advisors. Seated, left to right: Attorney General John Y. Mason, Secretary of War William Marcy, President Polk, Secretary of the Treasury Robert J. Walker; standing: Postmaster General Cave Johnson (center); Secretary of the navy George Bancroft. One of President Monroe's mantels imported from Italy can be seen in the background. Half-plate daguerreotype, approximately 4 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches, attributed to John Plumbe, Jr.
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