***(Editor’s Note: In conjunction with the Inauguration of America’s 44th President, “The Thirsty Quill” is publishing a series entitled “Ranking The Presidents.” There is no ‘exact science’ to these rankings other than personal opinion based on such factors as policy, performance, popularity, perseverance, integrity, and legacy. Aside from those Presidents ranked in the top 25% and the bottom 25%, there is a great deal of ‘wiggle room’ for discretionary placement and movement. These rankings are strictly the personal opinion of the Editor of ‘The Quill,’ and should not be regarded as an academic survey of any type. Debate of these rankings is highly encouraged and appreciated.)***

#14: James K. Polk (1845-1849)

Quite the surprise at #14, James K. Polk slowly climbed higher and higher on my list while I completed my research for this project. Most History textbooks offer very little coverage in regard to Polk, yet I have found him to be one of the most intriguing Presidents of our past.

Polk was born on the outskirts of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, yet he claimed Tennessee as his home (even though he returned to North Carolina to study Law at Chapel Hill). This is interesting due to the fact that in his dark horse bid to become President in 1844, Polk lost both North Carolina and Tennessee (the two states in which he had spent the majority of his life), yet still won the election against Henry Clay of Kentucky.

As a lawyer, Polk made a reputation for himself by debating the issues of the day with other learned men. His staunch views and unwavering support for Andrew Jackson earned him a great deal of respectability, so it was only natural that “Young Hickory” (Polk) follow in the footsteps of “Old Hickory” (Jackson). Polk was elected to the House of Representatives, and was eventually selected to serve as Speaker of the House by the time he was only 40 years old.

Polk returned to Tennessee to serve as her Governor in 1839, but departed that post when he was inaugurated as President just two years later. At that time, Polk was only 49 years of age, giving him the notoriety of being the youngest President in American history (to that point).

Polk’s accomplishments included a great deal, most notably securing a victory in the Mexican War. He was responsible for adding the most land to the United States since the Louisiana Purchase. His administration oversaw the acquisition of Texas through annexation, and the addition of a list of future states and territories that included the likes of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. Some of these had been acquired in the victory against Mexico, some were purchased, and others were settled by treaty (including a successful treaty with Britain over the Oregon Territory). Such expansionist victories made him a strong proponent of the “Manifest Destiny” movement.

He was highly respected for lowering tariffs and taxes, and was considered a visionary for his support of those projects surrounding the establishment of the Smithsonian Institutes.

Amazingly, Polk accomplished all of these things within the four years of his lone term in office. In a move that baffled his most loyal supporters and staunchest critics, Polk pledged to only serve one term despite his overwhelming success and surging popularity. The timing could not have been better, as Polk’s feeble health finally caved, and he died just 103 days after leaving office.

Perhaps the only real criticism one can make of Polk’s tenure was his failure to stem the growing discord between slave states and free states under his watch. However, that should have been expected considering that during Polk’s term, the White House played host to many slaves who served inside the Executive Mansion.

Polk is often ranked very high by most experts, many of whom are quick to point out that Polk was a strong President, and the bookend of success that would stand alone until Lincoln’s arrival in 1861…marking a period of twelve years, and spanning four Presidents, in between the two.

Notable Quotations: “We have a country, as well as a party, to obey.”

“When it comes down to the relations of any President with a Congress controlled by the opposite party, I just say this: it is no bed of roses.”

“In truth, though I occupy a very high position, I am the hardest working man in this country.”

“I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant, and will become a sovereign.”

#14: James K. Polk

PRESIDENTIAL RANKINGS SO FAR: 

#14: James K. Polk (1845-1849)

#15: Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)

#16: George W. Bush (2001-2009)

#17: John Adams (1797-1801)

#18: William McKinley (1897-1901)

#19: William Taft (1909-1913)

#21/20: Grover Cleveland (1885-89/1893-97)

#22: George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)

#23: Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)

#24: Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)

#25: John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)

#26: Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)

#27: Gerald Ford (1974-1977)

#28: Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)

#29: Zachary Taylor (March 1849-July 1850)

#30: Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)

#31: Chester Arthur (1881-1885)

#32: Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)

#33: John Tyler (1841-1845)

#34: Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)

#35: Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)

#36: Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

#37: James Buchanan (1857-1861)

#38: Richard Nixon (1969-1974)

#39: Bill Clinton (1993-2001)

#40: Warren Harding (March 1921-August 1923)

#41: Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)

#42*: James Garfield (March 1881-September 1881)

#43*: William Henry Harrison (March 1841-April 1841)