William B. Bankhead

American politician

Born: April 12, 1874 · Died: September 15, 1940

Famous Persons

Who was William B. Bankhead?

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. He was the father of actress Tallulah Bankhead. Bankhead was born at the Bankhead plantation in Lamar County, Alabama. His father, John H. Bankhead, was an active politician who had served in the Alabama legislature, and later as U.S. Representative and Senator. His mother was Tallulah James Brockman, granddaughter of South Carolina state Senator Thomas Patterson Brockman, and he was raised as a Methodist. 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.

Historical significance

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. Bankhead died, from an abdominal hemorrhage, while still in office.

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MLA

“William B. Bankhead.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/william-b-bankhead/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

APA

William B. Bankhead. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/william-b-bankhead/

Chicago

“William B. Bankhead.” thisDay. Accessed October 26, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/william-b-bankhead/.

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