Rayburn, Samuel

(1882-1961)

   Born in Tennessee, Samuel Rayburn’s family moved to Texas in 1887. Rayburn graduated from East Texas Normal College in 1903 and then taught for two years. In 1906, he was elected as a Democrat to the state legislature, where he became speaker of the house. He also studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1908. In 1912, Rayburn was elected to Congress, where he became a close associate of John Nance Garner. Rayburn rose to importance in the House, and as Chair of the House Interstate Commerce Committee, he had considerable influence on New Deal legislation, particularly the Securities Act of 1933, Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. Rayburn became speaker of the house in 1940 and held the post until 1957, other than when the Republicans were in the majority from 1947 to 1948 and 1953 to 1954.

   Rayburn worked closely with Harry S. Truman, remained loyal when the Dixiecrats bolted the party in 1948, worked to enable the passage of civil rights legislation in 1957 and 1960, and helped to nurture the career of Lyndon B. Johnson. Known for his honesty, integrity, and political know-how, the Rayburn House Office Building built in 1965 adjacent to the U.S. Capitol is a memorial to his name.