| | [[image:WJBryan.jpg|200px|thumb|The Great Commoner, William Jennings Bryan, 1907.]] | | [[image:WJBryan.jpg|200px|thumb|The Great Commoner, William Jennings Bryan, 1907.]] |
| − | '''William Jennings Bryan''' (1860<ref>Born on March 19, 1860, in Salem, [[Illinois]].</ref>-1925) was a populist three-time [[Democratic]] presidential nominee, known as "The Great Commoner" due to his strong political support for farmers and laborers, his popular touch, and his deeply held religious beliefs.<ref>http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html</ref><ref>http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/bryan</ref> He was notable for advocating that the United States drop the [[gold standard]] and switch to the inflationary silver standard, a move designed to help farmers and hurt big business. Bryan was a gifted orator, one of the finest in all of American history. Trained as a lawyer, Bryan represented the state of [[Nebraska]] in the United States [[Congress]], 1891-95. | + | '''William Jennings Bryan''' (1860<ref>Born on March 19, 1860, in Salem, [[Illinois]].</ref>-1925) was a populist three-time [[Democratic]] presidential nominee, known as "The Great Commoner" due to his strong political support for farmers and laborers, his popular touch, and his deeply held religious beliefs.<ref>http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html</ref><ref>http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/bryan</ref> He was notable for advocating that the [[United States]] drop the [[gold standard]] and switch to the [[inflation]]ary [[silver]] standard, a move designed to help farmers and hurt big business. Bryan was a gifted orator, one of the finest in all of American history. Trained as a lawyer, Bryan represented the state of [[Nebraska]] in the United States [[Congress]], 1891-95. |
| | In 1896, Bryan delivered one of the most riveting speeches in all of American history, known as the "Cross of Gold" speech. A phenomenal speaker, Bryan galvanized the national political convention at the young age of only 36. His speech almost single-handedly united the Democratic and Populist parties, thereby laying the foundation for what became the modern [[Democratic Party]]. | | In 1896, Bryan delivered one of the most riveting speeches in all of American history, known as the "Cross of Gold" speech. A phenomenal speaker, Bryan galvanized the national political convention at the young age of only 36. His speech almost single-handedly united the Democratic and Populist parties, thereby laying the foundation for what became the modern [[Democratic Party]]. |