William Jennings Bryan was only 36 years old when he became the Democratic presidential candidate in 1896, the youngest major party nominee in history. Bryan had served two terms as a representative from Nebraska before losing a race for the Senate in 1894. Two years later, he emerged as the leader of his party with his “Cross of Gold” speech at the Democratic National Convention.
Because he ran for president on the Democratic ticket three times and lost three times, Bryan holds the distinction of winning the most Electoral College votes without ever winning an election. Bryan lost to Republican William McKinley in 1896 and 1900 and to Republican William Howard Taft in 1908. Although never president, Bryan later served in the executive branch as Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson.
