William B. Bankhead

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William Brockman Bankhead
William B. Bankhead

In office
June 4, 1936 – September 15, 1940
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by Joseph W. Byrns, Sr.
Succeeded by Sam Rayburn

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 7th & 10th districts
In office
March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1933 (10th)
March 4, 1933September 15, 1940 (5th)
Preceded by Only representative for the tenth district;
Miles C. Allgood
Succeeded by Zadoc L. Weatherford

Born April 12, 1874
Lamar County, Alabama
Died September 15, 1940 (aged 66)
Washington, D.C.
Political party Democratic
Alma mater University of Alabama
Georgetown University Law School
Profession Law

William Brockman Bankhead (April 12, 1874September 15, 1940) was an American politician from Alabama and the father of noted Hollywood actress Tallulah Bankhead. William followed his father's footsteps and went into politics following a brief career as a lawyer. As a young man he was known as a brilliant public speaker and for his fun-loving personality. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity, Inc., at the University of Alabama. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1917 until his death and as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1936 until his death. Bankhead was the only person ever elected to Alabama's 10th congressional district. The district was eliminated after apportionment based on the 1910 census. John Abercrombie had been elected at large but Bankhead was directly elected to the office. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Painting of Bankhead as House Speaker.

A Notable Family

In his early days, he thought about becoming an actor, a career taken up by his daughter, Tallulah Bankhead, who gained quite a bit of notoriety as an actress and Bonne Vivante.1 Senator John H. Bankhead was his father, and John H. Bankhead II was his brother. His mother was Tallulah James Brockman, of the South Carolina Brockman family and the namesake of his daughter. His grandfather was Thomas Patterson Brockman, a South Carolina Senator. The William B. Bankhead National Forest and sections of old US Highway 78 in northern Alabama are named in his honor.


References

  1. ^ Tallulah Bankhead - A passionate life, on Hiwaay.net

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
District created
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 10th congressional district

March 4, 1917March 3, 1933
Succeeded by
District eliminated
Preceded by
Miles C. Allgood
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 7th congressional district

March 4, 1933September 15, 1940
Succeeded by
Zadoc L. Weatherford
Party political offices
Preceded by
Jo Byrns
House Majority Leader
House Democratic Leader

1935 – 1937
Succeeded by
Sam Rayburn
Political offices
Preceded by
Jo Byrns
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
June 4, 1936January 3, 1937;
January 5, 1937September 15, 1940
Succeeded by
Sam Rayburn

Wikipedia content modification information:

  • This page was last modified on 10 November 2008, at 17:30.

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