Sarah Childress Polk: A Biography of the Remarkable First Lady - Paperbackby John R. Bumgarner (Author) Historians generally consider James K. Polk one of the most effective presidents in United States history. Many of them doubt, however, that President Polk would have been successful without the counsel of his wife Sarah. The president dominated his cabinet and trusted no one except for his wife. Sarah Childress Polk (1803 1891) was a highly educated woman who became President Polk's virtual secretary and more: She