Joseph Gurney Cannon

Joseph Gurney Cannon
Cannon c. 1909–1923
35th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
In office November 9, 1903 – March 3, 1911
Preceded by	David B. Henderson
Succeeded by	Champ Clark
Leader of the House Republican Conference
In office November 9, 1903 – March 3, 1911
Preceded by	David B. Henderson
Succeeded by	James Robert Mann
Chairman of the House Republican Conference
In office March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1903
Speaker	David B. Henderson
Preceded by	Charles H. Grosvenor
Succeeded by	William P. Hepburn
In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1889
Speaker	John G. Carlisle
Preceded by	George M. Robeson
Succeeded by	Thomas J. Henderson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois
In office March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1891
Preceded by	District created
Succeeded by	Samuel T. Busey
Constituency	14th district (1873–1883) 15th district (1883–1891)
In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1913
Preceded by	Samuel T. Busey
Succeeded by	Frank Trimble O'Hair
Constituency	15th district (1893–1895) 12th district (1895–1903) 18th district (1903–1913)
In office March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1923
Preceded by	Frank Trimble O'Hair
Succeeded by	William P. Holaday
Constituency	18th district
Personal details
Born	(1836-05-07)May 7, 1836 Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	November 12, 1926(1926-11-12) (aged 90) Danville, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Mary P. Reed ​ (m. 1862)​
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Cincinnati
Profession	Politician • lawyer
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Joseph Gurney Cannon (May 7, 1836 – November 12, 1926) was an American politician from Illinois and leader of the Republican Party. Cannon represented parts of Illinois in the United States House of Representatives for twenty-three non-consecutive terms between 1873 and 1923; upon his retirement, he was the longest serving member of the United States Congress ever. From 1903 to 1911, he presided as Speaker of the House, becoming the most powerful speaker in United States history.^[1]

As the Speaker during most of the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, Cannon was an obstacle to the progressive policies advanced by Roosevelt and later abandoned by Taft. A revolt against Cannon's authority as Speaker, led by George W. Norris, was a contributing factor to the Republican Party split in the elections of 1910 and 1912 and led to significant reforms to the House rules.

The Cannon House Office Building, the oldest congressional office building, was named for him in 1962.