Description:

Bryan William

Small archive comprised of two TLS, one signed by William Jennings Bryan as “W.J. Bryan”. 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 TLS dated February 4, 1922 signed “W.J. Bryan” at bottom of watermarked Villa Serena letterhead. Signature is dark and bold, the “J” and “B” lightly smudged. A typographical error within the text has been hand-corrected by Bryan. In near fine condition, with expected paper folds, some well-worn, and a few isolated discolored marks. Sheet measures 8.5” x 11”.

 

In this TLS, Bryan offers advice to Green’s high school students and also obliquely references the scientific debate that would explode three years later with the Monkey Scopes Trial: “There is no new way to success. Man does not change much from generation to generation”. Bryan urges new graduates to apply themselves industriously to their work, yet ensuring that they never lose their sense of moral or spiritual direction. “Man needs something more than intelligence and industry”, Bryan wrote. “He needs a spiritual vision of life that he may understand how to so employ his powers of both body and mind as to make to largest contribution to society and thus entitle himself to draw largely from the common store”. These last lines recall the populist Bryan’s reputation as “The Great Commoner”.

 

Accompanied by a half-slip dated February 4, 1922 clerically signed “W.J. Bryan” at bottom, with uneven torn top.

 

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). A devout Christian, Bryan authored many books exploring modern Christianity. 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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