Willis Chatman Hawley (May 5, 1864 – July 24, 1941) was an American politician and educator in the state of Oregon. A native of the state, he served as the president of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees before entering politics. A Republican, he served 13 terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Oregon, from 1907 to 1933. He is best known as a lead sponsor of the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act in 1930.
Early life
Hawley was born on a farm in the old Belknap settlement near Monroe in Benton County, Oregon, on May 5, 1864. After he attended country schools, he entered college. In 1884, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. In 1888, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the school, and a Bachelor of Laws from the law department.
Then, he engaged in a variety of business and educational ventures before entering politics.