William B. Bankhead
William B. Bankhead | |
|---|---|
| 42nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office June 4, 1936 – September 15, 1940 | |
| Preceded by | Jo Byrns |
| Succeeded by | Sam Rayburn |
| Leader of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office June 4, 1936 – September 15, 1940 | |
| Preceded by | Jo Byrns |
| Succeeded by | Sam Rayburn |
| House Majority Leader | |
| In office January 3, 1935 – June 4, 1936 | |
| 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 | |
| Preceded by | Edward W. Pou |
| Succeeded by | John J. O'Connor |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama | |
| In office March 4, 1917 – September 15, 1940 | |
| 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 | |
| City Attorney of Huntsville | |
| In office 1898–1902 | |
| 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 |
|
| Relatives |
|
| Education | University of Alabama (BA) Georgetown University (LLB) |
William Brockman Bankhead (April 12, 1874 – September 15, 1940) was an American politician who served as the 42nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1936 to 1940, representing Alabama's 10th and later 7th congressional districts as a Democrat from 1917 to 1940. Bankhead was a strong liberal and a prominent supporter of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal of pro-labor union legislation, thus clashing with most other Southern Democrats in Congress at the time. Bankhead described himself as proud to be a politician, by which he meant that he did not neglect matters that concerned his district or reelection. He was the father of actress Tallulah Bankhead.
Bankhead died on September 15, 1940, from an abdominal hemorrhage, while still in office.