William Jennings Bryan, a noted political and social activist, said: "You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold". He was a prominent figure in US politics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bryan used the quote in his Cross of Gold speech which he delivered as a former United States Representative from Nebraska at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. In the address, Bryan supported bimetallism or free silver. He believed bimetallism would bring the nation great prosperity. He decried the US gold standard.

Now Bryan is perhaps best known for his role as assistant to the prosecution in the famous 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, formally known as The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes. Scopes, a Dayton, Tennessee high-school teacher, was charged with violating state law by teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Bryan was born March 19, 1860, in Salem, Illinois. His was a devoutly religious family and stressed strict adherence to a literal interpretation of the Bible. His parents were firm believers in education. His mother schooled Bryan and his siblings in their home until they were old enough to go away to school. Bryan was an obedient and well disciplined child who was idealistic. His favorite subject was math because of its orderly reason and logic. He showed early interest in politics and public speaking. As a very young man, he became interested public/social affairs. He would live 65 years (50 of service).

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