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.

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.

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.

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

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

• Biographical Dictionary of the U.S. Congress

• Biographical Dictionary of the U.S. Congress
• Delaware's Members of Congress
• The Political Graveyard
• Albert F. Polk at Find a Grave

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965
• Hagley Museum and Library website; Barley Mill Road, Wilmington, Delaware; (302) 658-2400
• Newark Free Library; 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware; (302) 731-7550