Joseph Wellington Byrns
Joseph Wellington Byrns
Joseph Wellington Byrns was born near Cedar Hill, Robertson County, Tennessee, on July 20, 1869. He attended the common schools and graduated from the law department of the Vanderbilt University in 1890. Admitted to the bar in 1890, he commenced his practice of law in Nashville. He was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1895, 1897, and 1899. He served as Speaker during his last term, and then was elected to the State Senate in 1901. However, in 1902, he was unsuccessful in his bid for the District Attorney General in Davidson County.
in 1904, he entered national politics as a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket of Parker & Davis. He was then elected to the 61st Congress from March 4, 1909 until his death in 1936. He was nominated for the 75th Congress shortly before his death. He was the chairman of the Democratic National Congressional Campaign Committee 1928-1930 and went on to serve as Democratic Majority Leader during the73th Congress. His illustrious career was topped by his selection as Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 74th Congress. He died in Washington, D. C. on June 4, 1936. Services were held in the House of Representatives with his burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.
© Brenda Neely 2006