Champ Clark

James Beauchamp Clark, known as Champ Clark, (March 7, 1850 - March 2, 1921) was a prominent American politician in the Democratic Party from the 1890s until his death, and was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 1912. He served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1911 to 1919.

Clark was born in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. He moved to Missouri in 1875, and opened a law practice the following year. He was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1892. After losing in 1894, he won again in 1896, and remained in the House until shortly before his death.

Clark ran for House Minority Leader in 1903, but was defeated by John Sharp Williams of Mississippi. After Williams ran for the Senate in 1908, Clark ran again for the position and won. When the Democrats won control of the Senate in 1911, Clark became Speaker.

In 1912, Clark was the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, coming into the convention with a majority of delegates pledged to him. But he failed to receive the necessary two thirds on the first ballot, and after clever management by his supporters, New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson received the nomination instead.

Clark's Speakership was notable for two things: First, Clark's skill from 1910 to 1914 in maintaining party unity to block William Howard Taft's legislation and then pass Wilson's; and second, Clark's splitting of the party in 1917 and 1918 when he opposed Wilson's decision to bring the United States into World War I.

Clark was defeated in the Republican landslide of 1920, and died shortly thereafter in his home in Washington, DC.

References

• Garraty, John A. and Mark C. Carnes. American National Biography, vol. 4, "Clark, Champ". New York : Oxford University Press, 1999.