The Speaker
The Speaker is the presiding officer and the administrative head of the House. Their duties include presiding over legislative sessions, preserving order and decorum during each voting session and deciding all questions of order. There has been a speaker since 1682.
The Speaker ensures all rules and regulations for voting and parliamentary procedures are followed. In addition, the Speaker oversees the committee process by appointing the chairmen and vice chairmen of each standing committee and refers all bills to these committees for consideration. The Speaker votes on bills and may also sponsor legislation. The Speaker is, by law, the third in line to succeed the Governor, after the Lieutenant Governor and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
Thomas Mifflin
Mifflin, of Philadelphia and Berks Counties, was speaker of the House for three terms, 1785-1788. During his time as speaker, Mifflin served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He was the first to hold the title “Governor” in Pennsylvania.
William Binghamm (18th Century) by Gilbert StuartPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
William Bingham
Speaker from 1790-1792, Bingham represented Philadelphia during his time in the House. He was the first Speaker of the House after Pennsylvania became a bicameral legislature. He was elected to the United States Senate, where he served as President Pro Tempore.
Simon Snyder
Served as the 42nd Speaker of the House from 1803-1808. Snyder was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 1808, and he would sign Act 29 of 1810 into law, moving the capital from Lancaster to Harrisburg.
Nathananial Boileau (19th Century) by William E. Morris (Philadephia: Smith & Wistar)Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Nathanial Boileau
Boileau served 9 terms in the House representing Montgomery County. As Speaker in 1808, he made efforts to clarify the legal distinctions between English and state laws. He would resign as Speaker after a year, to serve as Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Sutherland, of Philadelphia County, served as Speaker in 1824. In this position he signed Act 53 of 1825, a law which rechartered the Bank of North America, as well as Act 15 of 1825, which incorporated the Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Company.
Joseph Ritner
Ritner, of Washington County, served as Speaker of the House for two sessions. Ritner signed Act 50 of 1826, known as the Personal Liberty Law, which made it illegal to forcibly transport individuals across state lines, ultimately protecting free African Americans in PA.
Ner Middleswarth by Pennsylvania House of Representatives ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Ner Middleswarth
Middlesworth would serve for three sessions as Speaker of the House. He signed Act 70 of 1836 calling for a convention to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution 1936, the convention would be held in 1937.
Joseph Snowden
Snowden represented Clarion, Jefferson, and Venango Counties. He would serve as Speaker from 1842-1844. After his time in the House, he would serve as the Director of the U.S. Mint from 1853-1861 by President Franklin Pierce.
For more information on these Speakers, please visit House Speaker Biographies - PA House of Representatives.
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