William Jennings Bryan lived in Salem, Illinois, from his birth on March 19, 1860, until 1875. He became a national figure after his “Cross of Gold” speech in 1896, was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for President in 1896, 1900, and 1908, and served as Secretary of State from 1913 to 1915. He died in 1925 after the Scopes “Evolution” trial.