Losing by a wide margin to Republican William Howard Taft, Bryan's 1908 campaign for president would be his last. He remained influential in the Democratic Party until his death, however. Throwing his considerable prestige behind Woodrow Wilson in 1912, the latter appointed him Secretary of State. In that capacity, Bryan promoted the arbitration of international disputes, and was strongly opposed to American military intervention in foreign conflicts. At odds with Wilson following the sinking of the Lusitania, he resigned.

In his later years, Bryan became identified with prohibition, woman suffrage and religious fundamentalism. He capped his long career by helping to prosecute John Scopes, a schoolteacher who taught evolution.

An attractive design from Bryan's final campaign.