2. Overview
O The writings of James Polk are one of the
most completed 19th century presidential
collections.
O There are a total of 125 volumes of written
collections by Polk and 25 volumes that
he wrote as part of his diary.
O Most of these papers are post 1825. Only
2 volumes of his writings are before that.
3. Overview Cont.
O For most of the 1820’s Polk’s Papers
consisted of mostly legal and financial
papers, notes to himself, and
memorandums.
O Overall, most of his papers were letters
that he received were from Governors or
past Presidents.
O He also had a particular interest in
sending letters to Andrew Jackson, who
became sort of a father figure to him.
4. Diary
O Polk wrote in his diary
almost every day
about the stress he
deals with at work.
O He wrote in great
detail about his daily
duties, meetings with
important officials,
and often how he is
feeling and current
mood.
5. Diary Cont.
O Currently, Polk’s diary is one of the most
extensive collections of any President.
O Its insight into the life of a president was a
valuable resource to scholars who wished
to know more about the type of stress
Presidents go through each day.
O Besides his diary, Polk’s letters were also
very detailed and contained important
information.
7. Letters Cont.
O Polk often wrote in a very formal way to
everyone including Andrew Jackson.
O He often wrote to Jackson about
completed tasks he had done for Jackson,
or just to see how Jackson was doing,
especially during the presidency.
O Especially during Jackson’s presidency,
Polk would often send Jackson letters
regarding the state of the Union an also
his views from within the House.
10. Letters Cont.
O The reason I chose these set of letters is
because they all share in common Polk’s hard
work and dedication to his work.
O The letters he sent were heavily about work
and whenever he was not sending letters, he
was writing in his diary about the day he’s
had.
O Polk’s papers have demonstrated the amount
of work Polk put into the presidency, and have
been an invaluable source into the work of a
diligent president.
11. Works Cited
O Google Book Contributors. "Polk Papers."
Https://books.google.com/books?id=UY6
mGC_HGVIC&pg=PA524&lpg=PA524
Google, 12 Mar. 2007. Web. 18 July 2015.
O Library of Congress. "Index to the James
K. Polk Papers." (2003): n. page. Print.
