Bankhead, William Brockman, 1874-1940

Bankhead was born 1874 April 12 to John H. and Tallulah James Brockman Bankhead near Moscow, Lamar Co., Ala. Bankhead attended the University of Ala. and Georgetown University. Upon receiving his law degree in 1895, he began practicing law in Huntsville, Ala., in 1895. Bankhead served as City Attorney for Huntsville (Ala.), solicitor of the fourteenth judicial circuit, and as a member of the Ala. Legislature prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1917.

Bankhead was elected Democratic Majority Leader in 1934 and Speaker of the House in 1936, a position he occupied until his death in 1940. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 1940.

Bankhead married Adelaide (Ada) Eugene Sledge in 1900 and they had two daughters: Evelyn Eugenia and Tallulah Brockman. Adelaide died in 1902 and 1915 he married Florence McGuire. Bankhead died 1940 Sept. 15. Following memorial services in the U.S. Capitol, he was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Jasper Ala.

From the description of Papers, 1875-1952 and n.d. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122498578