William j bryan biography sample

William Jennings Bryan was considered the greatest political orator of his time, a time before public address systems, radio, and television, when political speeches were long and expected to be more thought-provoking and entertaining than they are today.

Bryan (a Democrat) became a leading figure in the populist movement and the Populist Party. He is remembered by his contemporary nickname "The Great Commoner," and for his "Cross of Gold" speech that shocked and reshaped the Democratic Presidential Convention of Bryan received the Democratic Party's nomination for President three times, in , in , and in He remained very influential at the Democratic convention in and in the election that followed, when his support for Woodrow Wilson appeared to be a deciding factor in Wilson's nomination and narrow presidential victory.

Bryan served as Wilson’s Secretary of State until his vehement opposition to the possibility of America entering World War I forced his resi