William Jennings Bryan's Legal Career Begins

William Jennings Bryan began practicing law in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1883.

After graduating from law school at Union College of Law (now part of Northwestern University), Bryan moved to Jacksonville, where he opened a law practice. There he partnered with a local attorney and quickly became involved in both legal work and public speaking.

His time in Jacksonville was formative. While building his legal career, he also gained recognition as a powerful orator, which eventually led him into politics. It was from this beginning in a small Illinois city that Bryan launched the career that would make him one of the most influential political figures of his era.

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On this site on July 4th, 1883, distinguished American William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) began his practice of law and journey to national prominence. The forthright, spirited Bryan would become a Congressman from Nebraska, three-time Democratic nominee for President, and Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson.

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Image Source/Credit:
• Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons