Rayburn, Sam (1882-1961), a Democrat, served longer as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives than any other person. He was Speaker from 1940 to 1947, from 1949 to 1953, and from 1955 until his death–almost 17 years. Rayburn also served 49 consecutive years as a member of the House of Representatives.
Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn was born in Roane County, Tennessee, on Jan. 6, 1882. At age 5, he moved to Texas with his family. He studied at East Texas College and at the University of Texas Law School. He served in the Texas state legislature from 1907 to 1913 and was Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives from 1911 to 1913. He was elected to the U.S. House in 1912 and quickly became a leader in Congress, though he seldom made speeches. He presided over the 1952 and 1956 Democratic national conventions. Rayburn died on Nov. 16, 1961.
