The riddle of the Sphinx
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908, Pleading, Presidents--Election, Sphinxes (Mythology)
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William Jennings Bryan, on his knees, appeals to a sphinx with the face of former president Grover Cleveland.
Comments and Context
Grover Cleveland was the most prominent Democrat between the administrations of Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson. He served two non-consecutive presidential terms, was a candidate three times, and was prominently mentioned as a potential candidate in 1900 and 1904. A conservative, he never enthusiastically endorsed the populist William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic presidential nominee in 1896, 1900, and 1908. In a twist on the ancient theme of appealing to the silent Sphinx as an oracle, Bryan is shown here, one month before the election, pleading for a whisper of public support from the Democratic elder statesman. Bryan’s running mate was Adlai Stevenson, who had been Cleveland’s second Vice President, but the “association” did not persuade voters, who awarded Bryan with fewer votes than he had received in 1896.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1900-10-17
Creator(s)
Period
Governor of New York (October 1898-1900)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
The riddle of the Sphinx. [October 17, 1900]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275672. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. The riddle of the Sphinx. [17 Oct. 1900]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275672.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1900, October 17]. The riddle of the Sphinx.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275672.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
