Presidents of the United States on U.S. postage stamps (1841–1845) and the first to succeed to the office following the death of a predecessor. Tyler assumed office when President William Henry Harrison died only 32 days into his term as president. James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th President of the United States (1845–1849). Polk was born in North Carolina. He later lived in and became Governor of the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) before becoming president. Polk was an ardent supporter of Andrew Jackson. Polk was considered the last
1840 and 1841 United States Senate elections for the term beginning March 4, 1841; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats. In this special election, the winner was elected in 1841 after March 4; ordered by election date. Whig Isaac C. Bates was elected January 13, 1841 to finish the class 2 term of his Whig predecessor, John Davis, who had resigned to become Governor of Massachusetts. Bates was also elected, on the same day, to the next term. He would only serve, however, until he died March 16, 1845. Whig Rufus Choate was elected February 23, 1841, to finish the class