4. William A. Clark: Senator and Smelter Baron
William A. Clark stood out among Montana’s industrial elite, amassing a tremendous fortune from copper mining and smelting. His lavish spending and notorious political maneuvering—he famously “bought” his way into the U.S. Senate—made him a controversial figure. Clark’s fierce rivalry with fellow Copper Kings not only fueled economic growth but also shaped the destiny of Montana’s cities and industries. To learn more about Clark’s remarkable and contentious legacy, visit Smithsonian Magazine.
