Biography:

William Jennings Bryan was a congressman and Democratic leader.  He was born on March 19, 1860 in Illinois.  He studied law at Union College in Chicago and later moved to Nebraska.  In 1890 he became a US Representative from Nebraska.  After losing a campaign to become a US Senator in 1894, he became editor of the Omaha World-Herald and gave lectures.  In 1896 he gave his famous “Cross of Gold” speech and was awarded the democratic nomination for president.  He lost the presidential election to Republican William McKinley.  He unsuccessfully ran again for president in 1900 and lost to McKinley.  He ran for the third and final time in 1908 and was defeated by Republican William Howard Taft.  President Woodrow Wilson appointed Bryan Secretary of State in 1912.  He died on July 26, 1925 in Tennessee.