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Speaker of the US House of Representatives


Speaker of the House of Representatives

First: Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania, elected presiding officer on April 1, 1789, the day the House organized itself during the First Federal Congress (1789–1791).

Total number, to date: 54

First woman: Nancy Pelosi of California, elected on January 4, 2007

Longest serving: Samuel Rayburn of Texas, served for a total of 17 years, two months and two days, starting in 1940

State with the most speakers: Eight Massachusetts Representatives have served

First (and only) speaker to later become president: James Polk of Tennessee

Longest election: After more than two months and 133 ballots, Nathaniel Banks of Massachusetts was elected on February 2, 1856.

Youngest: Robert Hunter of Virginia, elected on December 16, 1839, at the age of 30.

Oldest: Henry Rainey of Illinois, elected on March 9, 1933, at the age of 72.

* The Speaker of the House is second in line to the presidency.

Source: Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives

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