William Borah

William Borah (1865-1940), American statesman. William Edgar Borah was born in Fairfield, Illinois, and educated as a lawyer. In 1891 he moved to Boise, Idaho, and in 1906 he was elected as a Republican to the first of six successive terms in the U.S. Senate, serving from 1907 until his death. In domestic affairs, Borah was noted for his opposition to monopolies; he also favored the institution of a personal income tax and the election of senators by popular vote. In 1920 Borah opposed entrance of the United States into the League of Nations and the World Court, but he supported the Washington Conference for a limitation of arms. As chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee (1924-32), he also helped to secure Senate ratification of the war-renouncing Kellogg-Briand Pact.