William Hawkins Polk | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 6th district | |
| In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | |
| Preceded by | James H. Thomas |
| Succeeded by | George W. Jones |
| United States Minister to the Two Sicilies | |
| In office July 24, 1845 – May 11, 1847 | |
| President | James K. Polk |
| Preceded by | William Boulware |
| Succeeded by | John Rowan |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives | |
| In office 1841–1845 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 24, 1815 Maury County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | December 16, 1862 (aged 47) Nashville, Tennessee, C.S. |
| Resting place | Greenwood Cemetery Columbia, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Belinda G. Dickenson Polk Mary Louisa Corse Polk Lucy Eugenia Williams Polk |
| Children | Hester Malinda Polk Qualls, James Polk, William Polk, Jr., Tasker Polk |
| Parent(s) | Samuel Polk Jane Knox |
| Alma mater | University of North Carolina University of Tennessee |
| Profession | lawyer, diplomat, politician |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | 3rd U.S. Dragoons |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War |
William Hawkins Polk (May 24, 1815 – December 16, 1862) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for Tennessee's 6th congressional district from 1851 to 1853. He was the younger brother of President James K. Polk. Prior to his election to Congress, he had been a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives (1841–1845), served as U.S. Minister to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1845–1847), and fought as a major in the Mexican–American War.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Polk supported the Union.[1] He ran for Governor of Tennessee in 1861, but lost to the secessionist incumbent, Isham G. Harris.
- ^ Makers of America, Vol. 1 (B.F. Johnson, 1915), p. 567.