Ollie Murray James | |
|---|---|
 Portraitc. 1909–1918 | |
| United States Senator fromKentucky | |
| In office March 4, 1913 – August 28, 1918 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas H. Paynter |
| Succeeded by | George B. Martin |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromKentucky's1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1913 | |
| Preceded by | Charles K. Wheeler |
| Succeeded by | Alben W. Barkley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1871-07-27)July 27, 1871 Marion, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | August 28, 1918(1918-08-28) (aged 47) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Ollie Murray James (July 27, 1871 – August 28, 1918) was an American politician. ADemocrat, he representedKentucky in theUnited States House of Representatives and theUnited States Senate.
James was on July 27, 1871, inMarion, Kentucky. As a teenager, he served as apage in theKentucky General Assembly. James studiedlaw and was admitted to thebar in 1891, beginning his practice that year.
In 1902, James sought and won election to theUnited States House of Representatives fromKentucky's 1st district, the far western part of the state. He was re-elected to the House four times, serving there from March 4, 1903, to March 3, 1913.[1] He was the Chairman of the Democratic National Conventions of 1912 and 1916.[2]
In 1912, James decided to give up his House seat to seek election to theUnited States Senate. He wonthat election in the Kentucky state legislature on 9 and 16 January 1912[3] and was sworn in on March 4, 1913. He served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Patents. His capabilities as a debater came to be recognized and feared in the Senate, as journalist and historianClaude G. Bowers observed:
More than six feet tall and large in proportion, with an immense head and a smoothly shaven face that reflected every feeling, and with a powerful voice that could absorb all other sounds, he would have been a commanding figure in any legislative assembly. In cold print his speeches lacked finish, but he relied on force, and his delivery accentuated the power of his argument. In debate he rode the whirlwind to direct the storm, overwhelming his opponent with ridicule when unable to combat him with logic. I always felt sorry for his victims.[4]
James died during his term of office in a hospital inBaltimore, Maryland on August 28, 1918, aged 47.[5]
.jpg)
Senator Ollie M. James of Kentucky, died at Johns Hopkins Hospital at 6:45 A.M today of an acute affection of the kidneys. Mrs. James and the Senator's brother, E.H. James, were with him when the end came.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromKentucky's 1st congressional district 1903-1913 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. senator (Class 2) from Kentucky 1913-1918 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
