William Jennings Bryan The Great Commoner

 

William Jennings Bryan ran for president three times (1896, 1900, and 1908) but never won. Known as the “Great Commoner,” he supported farmers and workers and fought for issues like the free coinage of silver. His Cross of Gold speech defended silver over gold as the nation’s currency.

Bryan also backed progressive reforms, supporting the income tax, women’s suffrage, and the direct election of senators. Even though he never became president, he influenced the Democratic Party’s direction.

Later, Bryan served as Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson but resigned when the U.S. entered World War I. In his final years, he became a leading figure in the anti-evolution movement, arguing against teaching evolution in schools during the 1925 Scopes trial.

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