Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 07.djvu/360

LEFT POLK 294 POLK philosophies. The other branches of the science enumerated above, such as the study of administrative law and com- parative legislation, did not receive a full measure of attention until the 19th cen- tury, but since then have tended to at- tract a considerable number of scholars. Among contemporary American virriters on political science may be mentioned in the first ranks Burgess and Dunning, abroad Bosanquet and Bluntschli. POLK, FRANK LYON, an American public official. Born in New York City, 1871, and graduated from Yale Uni- versity in 1894. Began the practice of law in New York City in 1897 and later served on the Civil Service Commission. In 1915 he was appointed counsellor for the Department of State, and after President Wilson's and Secretary Lan- sing's departure from Paris in 1919, he represented the United States at the gathering of the Powers. He resigned his post in June, 1920. POLK, JAMES KNOX, an American statesman, 11th President of the United States; born in Mecklenburg cc, N. C, JAMES K. POLK Nov. 2, 1795. His ancestors, who bore the name of Pollock, emigrated from the W. of Ireland early in the 18th century. He was educated at the University of Nashville, Tenn., and was admitted to the bar in 1820. In 1823 he was sent to the Tennessee Legislature, and in 1824 to Congress, to which body he was re- elected for seven successive terms, serv- ing till 1839. He was made chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means in 1833, and twice elected Speaker of the House — 1835-1837. In Congress he was consistently a Democrat, supporting un- waveringly the administrations of Jack- son and Van Buren, and opposing that of Adams. In 1839 he was elected Gov- ernor of Tennessee, and in 1844 unex- pectedly nominated as a compromise candidate of the National Democratic Convention for the presidency, and elected over Henry Clay, the Whig can- didate. His administration was event- ful, and in some respects brilliant. Texas was annexed, and the Mexican War fought which, with territorial pur- chases, added the great territory now comprising Texas, California, New Mex- ico, Utah, Nevada, and the W. part of Colorado to the domain of the United States. The Oregon boundary forming one of the issues on which he was elected, was settled by a compromise offered by England. He was a man of eminent administrative abilities, of consistent principles and pure and upright private character. At the close of his single term Polk declined to stand for renom- ination, and retired to private life in Nashville, Tenn., where he died June 15, 1849. POLK, LEONIDAS, an American mili- tary olticer; born in Raleigh, N. C, April 10, 1806; was a cousin of President Polk. Graduating at the United States Military Academy in 1827, he received a commis- sion in the artillery, but was induced to study for the ministry, and in 1838 was consecrated Bishop of Arkansas and Indi- an Territory, with charge of the dioceses of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisi- ana. In 1841 he resigned all these ex- cept the bishopric of Louisiana, which he retained till his death. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil War he was offered a major-generalship by Jefferson Davis, and, accepting it, proceeded to strongly fortify strategical points on the Mississippi. At Belmont, in November, 1861, he was driven from his camp by Grant, but returned and compelled him to retire. At Shiloh and at Corinth he commanded the 1st Corps; in October, 1862, he was promoted to Lieutenant- General and in November he conducted the retreat from Kentucky. After Chickamauga, where he commanded the right wing, he was relieved of his com- mand; but in December, 1863, he was appointed to the Department of Ala- bama, Mississippi, and Eastern Louisiana, and he afterward joined Johnston in op-