William Jennings Bryan Facts: Interesting Trivia That You Should Know

William Jennings Bryan was born in the year 1860, in Salem.

Bryan was baptized at the age of 14 and was very rigid in terms of his religious views. He was a staunch opponent of Darwin's theory of evolution and hence, wanted Americans to refrain from believing in it.

An excellent orator and a celebrated member of the Congress, Bryan spent his initial years in Nebraska. He practiced law after graduating from Illinois. He was also known for having lost the presidential election three times. He finally managed to hold office in the White House as Secretary of State. He later resigned from this post.

Jennings is mostly remembered today as the staunch opponent of Darwinism, and for his many celebrated speeches. Keep reading to learn more about Jennings and his political career.

If you enjoyed reading this article, why not also check out William H Harrison facts and William H Taft facts here at Kidadl!

Fun Facts About William Jennings Bryan

An excellent orator and a notable figure in American politics, William Jennings Bryan was known for his participation in many political matters, as well as for his ardent support for Christianity.

Jennings was known to have certain problematic views, but none as troublesome as his dislike for Darwin's theories. He was born on March 19, in the year 1860, and started to come to the limelight in the last 10 years of the 19th century. His stronghold over the matters in politics only grew over the next few years, and he continued to be a man of vigor until his very last breath. Jennings remained a notable figure in America for the first quarter of the 20th century and was only taken down after his death.

William Jennings Bryan is also famous for his presidential nomination and for the fact that he lost the election no less than three times. In spite of being such a great orator who stood up first to speak on any issues, William Jennings Bryan was unable to make it to the White House as the president of the United States of America. However, he was appointed as the United States Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson, for having shown his unwavering support for the Democratic candidate. Woodrow Wilson was appointed as the president of the United States in 1912, and William Jennings Bryan took his office as the Secretary of State in 1913. He did not hold this office for too long, and resigned in 1915, to campaign as a private citizen for Woodrow Wilson.

His parents, Silas Lillard Bryan and Mariah Elizabeth Bryan were followers of the Presbyterian Church and baptized William Jennings Bryan at the age of 14. Bryan was home-schooled for most of his childhood and later went on to the Whipple Academy of Jacksonville in Illinois in the year 1874. Once he had finished his time at high school, Bryan started studying at Illinois College and graduated in the year 1881. Bryan also studied law and after acquiring his degree, he went on to join the Illinois State bar. It was from this point that Bryan started making his way into the limelight and eventually rose as one of the most influential and trustworthy figures amongst his contemporaries.

Facts About William Jennings Bryan's Political Career

It was in 1890 that William Jennings Bryan formally started his political career.

Bryan won the election and became a democratic candidate in the U.S. House of Representatives in the year 1890. Being a member of the Democratic Party, he was known for his knack for delivering speeches. It is said that Bryan was always the first to volunteer and emerge out of the crowd whenever there was a matter of public speaking. He also delivered some very impactful ones in his own time, which helped him in becoming the youngest person to stand for a presidential nomination. William Jennings Bryan first rose as a presidential candidate for the Democratic Party in the year 1896, but unfortunately, he lost. Following his loss, Bryan stood in favor of the Spanish-American War, but when the Philippines was annexed, he was against the president's decision. Bryan's Cross of Gold speech at the Democratic Convention in the year 1896 is also remembered often. This speech was given to the Populist party.

He again ran the presidential election but was defeated again. However, this was not enough to dim his vigor. He continued to use the knowledge that he gathered in law school and combined it with his own oratory expertise. It was in the year 1908 that Bryan made his last attempt for becoming the President of the United States, but he lost the election yet again.

His national campaign that put the 18th amendment in the constitution and prohibited the sale and transport of alcohol is still important in American history. Bryan was brought up in a family that emphasized the importance of morality, religion, and also national affairs. Born in Salem to British-American parents, he went on to become a celebrated part of Congress.

The Scopes trial was one of the last and most important parts of Bryan's political career. After an initial verdict that met Bryan's expectations, the Supreme Court later changed the course of the trial- which eventually went against William Jennings Bryan's views.

Facts About William Jennings Bryan's Education

William Jennings Bryan was home-schooled for most of his life and later joined Whipple Academy in Jacksonville in the year 1874.

Jennings later joined Illinois College and graduated in the year 1881. He also attended law school and after graduating in the year 1883, he went on to join the Illinois State Bar. He lived in Nebraska for a long time and practiced law until 1887.

Facts About William Jennings Bryan's Family

He was brought up in a family that held religion in very high regard.

Baptized at the age of 14, William Bryan Jennings was often understood to be too vigorous with his religious views. Jennings even resisted the advent of Darwinism in American society and thought that the theory of evolution would be a corrupting agent for democracy as well as Christianity.

Bryan was married to Mary Baird and they had three children together. Bryan died in the year 1925, in Dayton.

Did You Know...

Bryan served as the Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson.

William Jennings Bryan was a part of the Democratic Party.

Bryan's Cross of Gold speech at the Democratic Convention was one of his very best.

Bryan campaigned for the 'free silver' cause for the federal government.

Bryan practiced law in Nebraska until 1887.

William Jennings Bryan resigned his position as the Secretary of State in the year 1915.

Being opposed to the theory of evolution, Bryan was certainly not a progressive politician.

Bryan County in Oklahoma is named after William Jennings Bryan.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for William Jennings Bryan facts, then why not take a look at William Howe facts, or William Harvey facts.