Description:

Bryan William

Small archive comprised of two TLS, one signed by William Jennings Bryan as “W.J. Bryan”, spanning between January and April 1924. Both letters appear on “William Jennings Bryan, Villa Serena, Miami, Florida” letterhead. Letters were in response to inquiries from Sharpless Dodson Green, a school administrator from Trenton, New Jersey. Green frequently contacted notables of the day, requesting they give life advice to graduating seniors.

 

1pp half-sheet TLS dated May 15, 1924 granting Green permission to use his and Bryan’s correspondence, signed “W.J. Bryan” at bottom of watermarked Villa Serena letterhead. Signature is dark and bold but a little smudged. Measures 5.5” x 8.5”. Accompanied by a January 24, 1924 note on Villa Serena letterhead signed by Bryan’s secretary, with a few tiny holes at center.

 

William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) was one of the most influential political figures of the turn-of-the-century. Although he ran unsuccessfully for president three times, Bryan nevertheless greatly shaped public discourse about foreign affairs, finance, commerce, science, and the role of religion, to name but a few. Bryan served as a Democratic Nebraska congressman as well as 41st Secretary of State under 28th U.S. President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924). Bryan prosecuted the Scopes Monkey Trial in July 1925, a case that deliberated the legality of teaching evolution in Tennessee-funded public schools.

 

Between March 1913 and 1925, Bryan and his wife first wintered and then permanently resided at Villa Serena in Miami, Florida. This U-shaped Italian Revival concrete and stucco mansion was on Brickell Avenue, called “Millionaire’s Row” by locals and tourists alike. Bryan was heavily involved in promoting Florida real estate in nearby Coral Gardens.

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