Changes

Barkley was born Willie Alben Barkley in a log cabin near Lowes, Graves County, Kentucky. His parents, John Wilson Barkley and Electra Eliza (Smith) Barkley, were tenant farmers who were very religious. He graduated from Marvin College, in Kentucky in 1897, where he excelled in speech and debate. He graduated Emory College, in Georgia in 1900, and then attended the University of Virginia Law School. It was during this time that he legally changed his name from "Willie Alben" to "Alben William."

Barkley was born Willie Alben Barkley in a log cabin near Lowes, Graves County, Kentucky. His parents, John Wilson Barkley and Electra Eliza (Smith) Barkley, were tenant farmers who were very religious. He graduated from Marvin College, in Kentucky in 1897, where he excelled in speech and debate. He graduated Emory College, in Georgia in 1900, and then attended the University of Virginia Law School. It was during this time that he legally changed his name from "Willie Alben" to "Alben William."

Barkley was admitted to the bar in 1901 and practiced in Paducah, Kentucky.  He was prosecuting attorney for McCracken County from 1905 to 1909 and judge of McCracken County Court from 1909 to 1913.  He built a reputation as a progressive who sided with the farmers more than the townspeople. He supported prohibition and opposed gambling, two major issues of the day.  His energetic, folksy campaigning and strong oratorical skills made him a power in the local Democratic party, as he defeated three opponents in the 1912 [[primary election]] and won the Congressional election.<ref> Libbey (2000)</ref>

Barkley was admitted to the bar in 1901 and practiced in Paducah, Kentucky.  He was prosecuting attorney for McCracken County from 1905 to 1909 and judge of McCracken County Court from 1909 to 1913.  He built a reputation as a progressive who sided with the farmers more than the townspeople. He supported prohibition and opposed gambling, two major issues of the day.  His energetic, folksy campaigning and strong oratorical skills made him a power in the local Democratic party, as he defeated three opponents in the 1912 [[primary election]] and won the Congressional election.<ref>Libbey (2000)</ref>

==Congressional career==

==Congressional career==