Borah, William Edgar (1865-1940), an American statesman, was a leader in the United States Senate for almost 33 years. Although a Republican, he was known as a political maverick (nonconformist) who rarely allowed party loyalty to determine his stand on issues. Borah became a U.S. senator from Idaho in 1907. He supported many progressive reforms, including the income tax, the direct election of senators, national prohibition, and labor legislation. He favored some New Deal domestic measures. But he opposed American membership in the League of Nations and the World Court, and policies that he feared would involve the United States in World War II (1939-1945).
Borah was born in Fairfield, Illinois, on June 29, 1865. A statue of Borah represents Idaho in the United States Capitol. He died on Jan. 19, 1940.
