Albert F. Polk
Polk in 1917
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's At-large district
In office
March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1919
Preceded byThomas W. Miller
Succeeded byCaleb R. Layton
Personal details
Born(1869-10-11)October 11, 1869
Frederica, Delaware
DiedFebruary 14, 1955(1955-02-14) (aged 85)
Wilmington, Delaware
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Georgetown, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Alma materDelaware College
Professionlawyer

Albert Fawcett Polk (October 11, 1869 – February 14, 1955) was an American lawyer and politician from Georgetown, in Sussex County, Delaware and later, Wilmington, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Polk was born in Federica, Delaware. He attended Delaware College, now the University of Delaware, in Newark, Delaware, graduating in 1889. Afterwards, he studied the law, was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1892, and began a practice in Georgetown, Delaware.

Professional career

In 1899 Polk became an attorney for the Delaware State Senate and in 1902 become the chairman of the Sussex County Democratic Committee. He held this position until 1908 and again in 1915/16. At the same time, he was a member of the Democratic State Committee. He became a member of the Georgetown Board of Education in 1905 and served there until 1912. From 1914 until 1921 he was a member and secretary of the Board of Law Examiners of the Sussex County.

Polk was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1916, defeating incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Thomas W. Miller. During this term, he served with the Democratic majority in the 65th Congress. Seeking reelection in 1918, he lost to Republican Caleb R. Layton, a physician from Georgetown. Polk served from March 4, 1917, until March 3, 1919, during the administration of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.

Polk resumed the practice of law, moving his practice in 1921 to Wilmington, Delaware. He was appointed United States Commissioner for the District of Delaware in 1929 and held the position until his retirement in 1951.

Death and legacy

Polk died at Wilmington, Delaware. He is buried in the Union Cemetery, located at South Race Street, Georgetown. Take Route 113 south to Route 9 east into Georgetown. Follow Route 9 through the roundabout in center of town, then go right on South Race Street. Union Cemetery is at dead end.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.


Public Offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1917 March 3, 1919
United States Congressional service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1917–1919 65th U.S. House Democratic Woodrow Wilson at-large
Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1916 U.S. Representative Albert F. Polk Democratic 24,395 48% Thomas W. Miller Republican 24,202 47%
1918 U.S. Representative Albert F. Polk Democratic 19,652 48% Caleb R. Layton Republican 21,226 51%

References

  • Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.

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