Bryan tried very hard to win the Presidency. He ran in 1896, 1900 and 1908. Unfortunately for him, he was defeated each time. This man was one of the greatest orators in American history. His most famous speech has been labeled the "Cross of Gold speech" and he delivered it at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 8, 1896. Here is the famous closing phrase of the speech which gave the speech it's name: "Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them, 'You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold' ".

Bryan died on July 26, 1925, just a few days after the conclusion of the famous "Skopes Monkey Trial". He was 65 years old when he died.