e Democratic presidential nominee, and secretary of state. "William Jennings Bryan was a major force in American politics for three decades (Grolier)." He received all of his education in Illinois before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1887. He served four years in congress starting in 1890. He argued for inflationary policies, and fought a battle against the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, which he lost.
             After his reign in congress, Bryan edited the Omaha World-Herald. "By 1896 his party was bitterly divided between gold Democrats, led by Grover Cleveland, and free-silver advocates (Grolier)." Bryan, through his dramatic "Cross of Gold" speech, was nominated for presidency but was not elected in office. He also was nominated for presidency of the Democratic Party twice more in 1900 and 1908 and failed both those times.
             In 1912, Woodrow Wilson, whom Bryan had supported at the Democratic convention, won the presidential election and named Bryan secretary of state.
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