Born at Lynchburg, Virginia. Married Aurelia Caldwell January 12, 1886. They had four children. Married Mary Scott Meade June 22, 1940.

Elected to Virginia Senate 1899 to 1903. Elected to the House of Representatives and served 1902 to 1918. He supported the Federal Reserve Bank Act and became known as the "father" of the Federal Reserve System. He resigned in 1918 to accept the appointment of President Wilson as Secretary of the Treasury. He served December 16, 1918, to February 1, 1920. Resigned to accept appointment as Senator from Virginia. Reelected and served in Senate until his death. He was principal author of the Glass-Steagall act of 1933 that created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. He died in Washington, D.C.

Glass appears on a mint medal (USM 210) as part of their series for Secretaries of the Treasury. Dies were by George T. Morgan.

Glass appears on the obverse of the Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial Half Dollar. Design was by Charles Keck.

bio: ApCAB; BDC; BDEB; DAB; EAB; Failor; NCAB 36; WAB; WWWA-2 obit: CB Jun 46