William Jennings Bryan

The Great Commoner, William Jennings Bryan, 1907.

William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) was a populist three-time Democratic presidential nominee, known as "The Great Commoner" due to his strong political support for farmers and laborers. He was notable for advocating that the United States switch from the gold standard to the less demanding silver standard (to back up the nation's money).

In 1896, Bryan delivered one of the most riveting speeches in all of American history, known as the "Cross of Gold" speech. A phenomenal orator, Bryan galvanized the national political convention at the young age of only 36. He speech almost single-handedly united the Democratic and Populist parties, thereby laying the foundation for what became the modern Democratic Party.

He served as Secretary of State during the Administration of President Woodrow Wilson, and resigned based on his principled opposition to American involvement in World War I.

Bryan then toured Europe and became alarmed at the consequences of teaching Darwinian evolution as he was a devout evangelical. He grew concerned that this theory was the intellectual basis for the massive world wars, and that the theory led to an erroneous view that human races must inevitably fight with each other for survival of the fittest. He feared another world war.

He returned to the United States and argued for the prosecution in the Scopes trial in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925, a case which he won. Already in poor health, he died five days after the trial while taking his afternoon nap after church. Bryan College, a private Christian college located in Dayton, is named for him.