William Joseph Simmons was born on June 5, 1880 in Alabama. His father was a physician, so he initially pursued a career in medicine. However, his life took a different turn when he saw the film The Birth of a Nation.
After a car accident left him convalescing, Simmons watched D.W. Griffith's controversial film, which glorified the Ku Klux Klan. Inspired by what he saw, he decided to revive the Klan and lead it to prominence. He quickly became a key figure in the organization, which had dwindled in numbers since its founding in the Reconstruction era.
Simmons worked tirelessly to rebuild the Klan, attracting new members with a message of white supremacy and nationalism. Under his leadership, the Klan grew rapidly in numbers and influence, spreading its message of hatred and violence.
As the Klan became more violent and its activities more brazen, Simmons found himself called to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives. Despite facing scrutiny, he remained defiant, believing that the Klan's actions were justified in defense of what he saw as traditional American values.
William Joseph Simmons left a lasting legacy as a key figure in the revival of the Ku Klux Klan. His influence on the organization and its ideology continues to be felt to this day, as the Klan remains a symbol of racial hatred and extremism.