Jo Byrns | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Byrns in 1935 | |
| 41st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 1935 – June 4, 1936 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Thomas Rainey |
| Succeeded by | William B. Bankhead |
| Leader of theHouse Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 1935 – June 4, 1936 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Thomas Rainey |
| Succeeded by | William B. Bankhead |
| House Majority Leader | |
| In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Thomas Rainey |
| Succeeded by | William B. Bankhead |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromTennessee | |
| In office March 4, 1909 – June 4, 1936 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Gaines |
| Succeeded by | Richard Merrill Atkinson |
| Constituency | 6th district (1909–1933) 5th district (1933–1936) |
| Member of theTennessee Senate | |
| In office 1901-1903 | |
| Member of theTennessee House of Representatives | |
| In office 1895-1901 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Wellington Byrns (1869-07-20)July 20, 1869 Cedar Hill, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 1936(1936-06-04) (aged 66) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Julia Elizabeth Woodward |
| Children | Joseph W. Byrns Jr. |
| Alma mater | Vanderbilt University |
| Profession | Law |
Joseph Wellington Byrns Sr. (July 20, 1869 – June 4, 1936) was aU.S. politician. He served as a 14-termDemocraticcongressman fromTennessee, and as the 41stspeaker of the United States House of Representatives.
Byrns was born inCedar Hill,Robertson County, Tennessee, son of James Henry Byrns and Mary Emily Jackson. He was named for a maternal uncle, Joseph William Green Jackson, who died in theAmerican Civil War. His great-grandfather, James Byrns, Esq., figures in the legend ofThe Bell Witch, and is mentioned in the Authenticated History of The Bell Witch by Martin Van Buren Ingram. The Byrns family moved toNashville in 1885 to pursue greater educational opportunities for their children. Jo Byrns attendedFogg High School, graduating in 1887. He then enrolled atVanderbilt University, where he won honors in English and history, actively participated in debates, and became a member ofBeta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated with a law degree in 1890 and soon began building up a successful law practice.[1]
Byrns displayed a strong early interest in politics and was elected to theTennessee House of Representatives in 1894 and reelected in 1896 and 1898. In 1900 he was elected to theTennessee State Senate.
In 1902, he ran fordistrict attorney ofDavidson County, Tennessee, but was defeated—his only unsuccessful political race in 18 efforts. In 1908, Byrns received the Democratic nomination for U.S. Representative and was elected in November of that year to a term beginning March 4, 1909. He served in the House for the rest of his life.
Byrns was widely respected and his influence grew as his seniority did. He was chairman of theDemocratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 1928 to 1935.[1] In 1931 he was appointed chairman of the powerfulHouse Appropriations Committee and in 1933 becameHouse Majority Leader. In 1935 he becameSpeaker of the House.
Byrns suffered a serious heart attack at his Washington home on the evening of June 4, 1936. The Speaker died before he could be taken to a hospital.[2] His funeral, attended by PresidentFranklin Roosevelt and other dignitaries, was held in Nashville. He was interred atMount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.[3] His sonJo Byrns Jr. later served a single term in the House but never achieved the popularity of Jo Sr.
Byrns was also an activeCivitan.[4]
Byrns was aFreemason and member of theGrand Lodge of Tennessee. He served as the Worshipful Master of West Nashville Phoenix Lodge #131 in 1906 and 1907.[5]
Jo Byrns High School and Jo Byrns Elementary School, in his hometown,Cedar Hill, Tennessee, are named in his honor.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromTennessee's 6th congressional district 1909–1933 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromTennessee's 5th congressional district 1933–1936 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chairman of theHouse Appropriations Committee 1931–1933 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | House Majority Leader House Democratic Leader 1933–1935 | Succeeded by |
| Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives January 3, 1935 – June 4, 1936 | ||
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