Influential Montana Senator Portrait from the 1920s

This photograph captures Burton K. Wheeler, an influential American politician, during the early 1920s, a pivotal period in U.S. history. Serving as a U.S. Senator from Montana from 1923 to 1933, Wheeler played a significant role in shaping public policy during the Roaring Twenties and the onset of the Great Depression. His work focused on economic reform, and he was a prominent advocate for the rights of labor and the regulation of big business.

The image, taken by the Bain News Service, reflects the periods distinctive style, characterized by the use of glass negatives that produced clear, detailed images. As a notable figure of his time, Wheelers contributions to the Senate included notable stances on anti-war efforts and support for New Deal policies. This photograph serves as a reminder of his impact on American political life and the greater social changes occurring in the United States during the early twentieth century.