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
Acting President of the United States orderly transfer of power following a President's death. Nonetheless, several members of Congress, such as Representative John Quincy Adams, felt that Tyler should be a caretaker under the title of "Acting President", or remain vice president in name. Senator Henry Clay saw Tyler as the "vice-president" and his presidency as a mere "regency". Throughout Tyler remained resolute in his claim to the title of President and in his determination to exercise the full powers of the presidency. The precedent he set in 1841 was followed subsequently on seven occessions when an incumbent president died, and is now enshrined in the