His was, no doubt, the most accomplished presidency in the 64 years between George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s. And where Washington and Lincoln had arrived at moments freighted with destiny ...

In 1844, James K. Polk became the first dark horse candidate to win the presidency, beating Henry Clay. Polk promised that he would be a one-term president. Challenges: James K. Polk was an avowed ...

James K. Polk, the original "dark horse" candidate ... Died: June 15, 1849. Polk was the last strong president before Lincoln, and he achieved most of the stated domestic goals of the Democratic ...