William Jennings BRYAN was a Free Silver Advocate of 1896. He was an American politician who served as a Congressman from Nebraska and was the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1896, 1900 and 1908. He was a strong advocate for the free coinage of silver, which he believed would help farmers and working people by increasing the money supply. He was also a strong proponent of social justice and civil rights. His famous 'Cross of Gold' speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention is considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history.