Jo Byrns
Joseph Wellington "Jo" Byrns Sr. (July 20, 1869 – June 4, 1936) was a U.S. politician. He served as a 14-term Democratic Congressman from Tennessee, and as the 41st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
Jo Byrns | |
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| 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 the House 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 from Tennessee | |
| In office March 4, 1909 – June 4, 1936 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Gaines (6th) Ewin L. Davis (5th) |
| Succeeded by | Clarence W. Turner (6th) Richard Merrill Atkinson (5th) |
| Constituency | 6th district (1909–33) 5th district (1933–36) |
| Member of the Tennessee Senate | |
| In office 1901-1903 | |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives | |
| In office 1895-1901 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Wellington Byrns July 20, 1869 Cedar Hill, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 1936 (aged 66) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Julia Elizabeth Woodward |
| Children | Joseph W. Byrns Jr. |
| Alma mater | Vanderbilt University |
| Profession | Law |
Biography
Byrns was born in Cedar 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 the American Civil War. His great-grandfather, James Byrns, Esq., figures in the legend of The Bell Witch, and is mentioned in the Authenticated History of The Bell Witch by Martin Van Buren Ingram. A graduate of public schools, he displayed a strong early interest in politics and was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1894 and reelected in 1896 and 1898. In 1900 he was elected to the Tennessee State Senate.
In 1902, he ran for district attorney of Davidson 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 the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 1928 to 1935.[1] In 1931 he was appointed chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and in 1933 became House Majority Leader. In 1935 he became Speaker of the House.
Byrns was Speaker when he died in Washington, D.C., and had been planning to run for reelection. His funeral, attended by President Roosevelt and other dignitaries, was held in the United States Capitol. He was interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. His son Jo Byrns Jr. later served a single term in the House but never achieved the popularity of Jo Sr.
Byrns was also an active Civitan.[2]
See also
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)
References
- Irish, Ann B. (2001). Joseph W. Byrns of Tennessee: a political biography. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press. pp. 220. ISBN 1-57233-131-3.
- Leonhart, James Chancellor (1962). The Fabulous Octogenarian. Baltimore Maryland: Redwood House, Inc. p. 277.
Legacy
Jo Byrns High School, in his hometown, Cedar Hill, Tennessee, is named in his honor. The local elementary school is also called "Jo Byrns Elementary School".
External links
- United States Congress. "Jo Byrns (id: B001217)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John W. Gaines |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 6th congressional district 1909–1933 |
Succeeded by Clarence W. Turner |
| Preceded by Ewin L. Davis |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 5th congressional district 1933–1936 |
Succeeded by Richard Merrill Atkinson |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by William R. Wood |
Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee 1931–1933 |
Succeeded by James P. Buchanan |
| Preceded by Henry T. Rainey |
House Majority Leader House Democratic Leader 1933–1935 |
Succeeded by William B. Bankhead |
| Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives January 3, 1935 – June 4, 1936 | ||
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