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Primary sourceBook1910 (written 1845-1849)

The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency, Volume 3

James K. Polk · 1910 (written 1845-1849)

The third volume of President Polk's own diary, kept during his presidency from 1845 to 1849, published in 1910.

This volume preserves Polk's own first-hand diary entries written during his presidency.

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Front cover of a book bound in dark blue-gray cloth with a dark olive-green spine strip along the left edge. No text or lettering is visible on the cover.
James K. Polk, The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency, 1845 to 1849, Volume 3, published 1910.

About this source

What it is

This is volume three of the diary kept by James K. Polk during his presidency, covering the years 1845 to 1849. The diary was published in 1910.

Why it matters

Polk's diary is a first-hand record written by the president himself, covering his decisions during his time in office, including the period of the Mexican War. Because it comes directly from Polk, it offers insight into how he viewed his own actions and the events of his presidency, though diaries also reflect how their writers want to be remembered.

Look closer

  • Why might a president choose to keep a detailed diary during his time in office?
  • What kinds of things might Polk have chosen not to write down?
  • How does reading a president's own words differ from reading what others later wrote about him?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James K. Polk on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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