Born at Salem, Illinois. Graduate and valedictorian of Illinois College in 1881. Graduate of Union College of Law in 1883. He practiced law in Jacksonville 1883 to 1887. Married Mary Elizabeth Baird October 1, 1884. They had three children.

Elected to the House of Representatives and served March 4, 1891, to March 3, 1895.

Bryan was an advocate for the "free silver" movement. He worked with several groups that supported unlimited coinage of gold and silver at a ratio of 16 to 1. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention in 1896. He wrote the party platform and delivered a famous "cross-of-gold" speech ("You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.") that led to his receiving the party nomination for President. In May 1898 he recruited the 3rd regiment of Nebraska Volunteer Infantry and served as its colonel.

The Republican candidate, William McKinley, won the election in 1896 and 1900. Bryan also lost to Taft in 1908. Bryan influenced the Democratic party for 30 years. He supported Woodrow Wilson in getting the party nomination in 1912. Following Wilson's successful election, Bryan was appointed Secretary of State March 5, 1913. Bryan had a dispute with Wilson and resigned June 8, 1915.

Bryan also achieved fame as the prosecuting attorney in the Scopes "monkey trial." John T. Scopes was accused of teaching evolution in opposition to policy. He was defended by Clarence Darrow and was acquitted. Bryan died at Winchester, Tennessee, a few days after the end of the trial.

bio: BDC; BDEB; DAB; NCAB 9, 19; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H; NUM/NIN 7/96 obit: NUM 39 Jul 1926 page 377