Speaker of the House Fast Facts
First Speaker of the House Frederick A.C. Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected presiding officer on April 1, 1789, the day the House organized itself during the First Federal Congress (1789–1791). |
Total number of Speakers To date, 52 individuals have served as Speaker of the House of Representatives. |
Longest-serving Speaker of the House Samuel Rayburn of Texas served as Speaker for a total of 17 years, two months, and two days. |
Shortest term of Speaker Elected Speaker of the House as a sign of respect from his colleagues on March 3, 1869, Theodore M. Pomeroy of New York served for the closing day of the 40th Congress (1867–1869). |
First woman Speaker On January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi of California became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. |
State with the most Speakers Eight Massachusetts Representatives have served as Speakers. |
First (and only) Speaker to serve as President James K. Polk of Tennessee. |
Longest election for Speaker After more than two months and 133 ballots, Nathaniel T. Banks of Massachusetts was elected Speaker on February 2, 1856. |
Youngest Speaker elected Robert M. T. Hunter of Virginia was elected Speaker on December 16, 1839, at the age of 30. |
Oldest Speaker elected Henry T. Rainey of Illinois was elected Speaker on March 9, 1933, at the age of 72. |
First Speaker to make a televised address in the House Chamber On Opening Day of the 80th Congress (1947–1949), Speaker Joseph Martin of Massachusetts addressed the House during the first live television broadcast in the House Chamber. |
First Speaker to approve regular TV feeds from the House Chamber Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill of Massachusetts. |
Most party affiliations for a Speaker During his entire House career, Nathaniel P. Banks of Massachusetts had four different party affiliations (Democrat, American Party, Republican, and Independent). |
First Sitting Speaker to lose re-election to his House seat William Pennington of New Jersey. |
Number of Speakers to die in office Five (Michael C. Kerr of Indiana, Henry T. Rainey of Illinois, Joseph W. Byrns of Tennessee, William B. Bankhead of Alabama, Samuel Rayburn of Texas). |