William B. Bankhead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William B. Bankhead
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| 42nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office June 4, 1936 – September 15, 1940 |
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| Preceded by | Jo Byrns |
| Succeeded by | Sam Rayburn |
| Leader of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office June 4, 1936 – September 15, 1940 |
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| Preceded by | Jo Byrns |
| Succeeded by | Sam Rayburn |
| House Majority Leader | |
| In office January 3, 1935 – June 4, 1936 |
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| Deputy | Patrick J. Boland |
| Preceded by | Jo Byrns |
| Succeeded by | Sam Rayburn |
| Chair of the House Rules Committee | |
| In office April 1, 1934 – January 3, 1935 |
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| Preceded by | Edward W. Pou |
| Succeeded by | John J. O'Connor |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama |
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| In office March 4, 1917 – September 15, 1940 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Zadoc L. Weatherford |
| Constituency | 10th district (1917–1933) 7th district (1933–1940) |
| Member of the Alabama House of Representatives | |
| In office 1900–1901 |
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| City Attorney of Huntsville | |
| In office 1898–1902 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Brockman Bankhead
April 12, 1874 Sulligent, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | September 15, 1940 (aged 66) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Adalaide Eugenia Sledge
(m. 1900; died 1902)Florence McGuire
(m. 1915) |
| Children | 2, including Tallulah |
| Parent |
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| Relatives |
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| Education | University of Alabama (BA) Georgetown University (LLB) |
William Brockman Bankhead (born April 12, 1874 – died September 15, 1940) was an important American politician. He served as the 42nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1936 to 1940. This means he was the leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Bankhead represented parts of Alabama in Congress from 1917 to 1940. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He strongly supported President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal programs. These programs aimed to help Americans during the Great Depression. Bankhead was also the father of the famous actress Tallulah Bankhead. He passed away on September 15, 1940, while still serving in office.
Early Life and Education
William Bankhead was born on a plantation in Lamar County, Alabama. His father, John H. Bankhead, was also a politician. He served in the Alabama state legislature and later in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. William's mother was Tallulah James Brockman. He was raised as a Methodist. His brother, John H. Bankhead II, also became a U.S. Senator.
William Bankhead went to the University of Alabama. He was part of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He also played on the university's first football team in 1892. After college, he studied law at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. He finished his law degree in 1895.
Soon after, he was allowed to practice law in Alabama. He started his law career in Huntsville.
His Political Journey
In 1898, William Bankhead became the city attorney for Huntsville. He held this job until 1902. In 1900, he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. He served one term there, ending in 1901.
In 1905, he moved to Jasper, Alabama. From 1910 to 1914, he worked as a solicitor for the fourteenth judicial circuit of Alabama.
He first tried to become a U.S. Representative in 1914 but did not win. In 1916, he was elected to represent Alabama's newly formed 10th Congressional District. He was the only person ever elected from this district.
After some changes to how congressional districts were set up, Bankhead was re-elected. He became the Representative for Alabama's 7th District in 1932. He was re-elected three more times and served until his death in 1940.
Bankhead took on important leadership roles in the House of Representatives. From April 1934 to January 1935, he chaired the House Rules Committee. In 1934, his fellow Democrats chose him as the House Majority Leader. This made him a very powerful figure in Congress.
On June 4, 1936, he was chosen as the Speaker of the House. He became Speaker after the previous Speaker, Jo Byrns, passed away. Bankhead served as Speaker until his own death on September 15, 1940. He passed away due to a stomach hemorrhage.
As Speaker, William Bankhead held one of the highest political positions ever achieved by someone from Alabama. Only Vice President William R. King held a higher office.
In 1940, just a few months before he died, Bankhead was considered for Vice President. He ran at the 1940 Democratic National Convention but finished second in the voting.
The Bankhead Family Legacy
William Bankhead came from a family deeply involved in politics. His father, John H. Bankhead, was a U.S. Representative and Senator. His older brother, John H. Bankhead II, also served as a U.S. Senator. His nephew, Walter Will Bankhead, was a U.S. Representative.
His daughter, Tallulah Bankhead, became a very famous actress. She was known for her work in theater, radio, and movies.
Several places are named in William B. Bankhead's honor. These include the William B. Bankhead National Forest and parts of old US Highway 78 in northern Alabama. His former home in Jasper has been restored. It is now the "Bankhead House and Heritage Center," which is a history museum and arts venue.
See also
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)
