La Follette, Robert Marion (1855–1925)

US political leader. A senator 1906–25, he was a leader of the national progressive reform movement (see Progressivism) and unsuccessfully ran for president on the Progressive ticket in 1924. He was popularly known as ‘Fighting Bob’.

La Follette was born in Primrose, Wisconsin, educated at the state university, and became a barrister in 1880. Entering politics, he served as district attorney 1880–94 and as a member of the House of Representatives 1885–91. He was defeated in his bid for re-election to Congress in 1890 but was governor of Wisconsin 1901–06. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination three times: in 1912, 1916, and 1920.

In 1912 he helped to found the Progressive Party, bitterly attacking President Taft for signing the Payne–Aldrich Tariff Bill, which revised the tariff upwards. In 1924 he formed a new Progressive Party, and was nominated for president, but obtained only the electoral votes of his own state.

His Autobiography, A Personal Narrative of Political Experiences appeared 1913.