William Hawkins Polk
| William Hawkins Polk | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 6th district |
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In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 |
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| Preceded by | James H. Thomas |
| Succeeded by | George W. Jones |
| United States Minister to the Two Sicilies | |
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In office July 24, 1845 – May 11, 1847 |
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| Preceded by | William Boulware |
| Succeeded by | John Rowan |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives | |
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In office 1841-1845 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 24, 1815 Maury County, Tennessee, United States |
| Died | December 16, 1862 (aged 47) Nashville, Tennessee |
| Resting place | Greenwood Cemetery Columbia, Tennessee |
| 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 |
| Alma mater | University of Tennessee |
| Profession | lawyer, diplomat, politician |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848 |
| Rank |
 Major
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| Unit | Third Regiment of 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. He ran for Governor of Tennessee in 1861, but lost to the secessionist incumbent, Isham G. Harris.
Polk was born in Maury County, Tennessee, the ninth of ten children of Samuel Polk (1772–1827) and Jane (Knox) Polk (1776–1852). He attended the public schools of Columbia, and the University of North Carolina in 1832 and 1833. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1839, and commenced practice in Columbia.
Polk engaged in reckless behavior as a youth that his family found troubling. He was described as a spendthrift prone to "extravagance" and "light amusements." A letter from his brother, James K. Polk, warned him, "you are getting into habits that must inevitably destroy you."
In 1838, William H. Polk killed Robert Hayes, a young Nashville lawyer, following an altercation at the Nelson House in Columbia. The two had apparently been arguing when Polk insulted Hayes, and Hayes responded by throwing a cup at Polk. Polk then obtained a whip and lashed Hayes with it, prompting Hayes to flee. Shortly afterward, Hayes attempted to ambush Polk with a derringer, but his lone shot missed. Polk drew his own gun and returned fire, killing Hayes. Polk was tried for murder, but convicted of a lesser charge, and sentenced to six weeks in jail and a $750 fine. He was defended at trial by his brother's former law partner, Gideon Pillow.
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