Who was one of the primary advocates for free silver and ran against William Howard Taft?

William Jennings Bryan was a leading advocate for the free silver movement in the late 19th century, which sought the coinage of silver to increase the money supply and assist farmers and working-class Americans who were burdened by debt. His position was grounded in addressing the economic challenges of the time, which many believed were exacerbated by a gold standard that restricted the money supply and led to deflation.

Bryan's advocacy culminated in his candidacy for the presidency where he ran against William Howard Taft in the 1908 election. He had previously run for president in 1896 and 1900, making him a prominent figure in American politics during that era. He argued that free silver would help revive the economy and promote a fairer financial system.

The other individuals mentioned, such as Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, and John D. Rockefeller, were significant figures in business and finance but did not advocate for the free silver movement or compete with Taft in an election context. Carnegie and Rockefeller were known for their contributions to industry and philanthropy, while Morgan was a major banker and financier. Their focus and influence lay primarily in capitalist enterprise rather than monetary policy or agrarian reform.