Paul Ryan at age 45 is a young man to be a Speaker of the House of Representatives, but not the youngest.
That distinction belongs to Robert M. T. Hunter of Virginia, age 30 when elected in 1839.
Howell Cobb was 34 when elected Speaker in 1849.
Henry Clay, three time Presidential candidate, was elected Speaker in 1811 also at age 34.
Jonathan Dayton was elected Speaker in 1795 at age 35.
John W. Taylor was elected Speaker in 1819 also at age 35.
Langdon Cheves was 37 when elected Speaker in 1813.
James Orr was also 37 when elected Speaker in 1857.
John Bell was 38 when elected Speaker in 1834, and later tried to prevent the Civil War by running as a Constitutional Union Presidential candidate in 1860.
Robert Winthrop was also 38 when elected Speaker in 1847.
Philip Barbour was elected Speaker in 1821 also at age 38.
Galusha Grow was also 38 when elected Speaker in 1861.
John White was 39 when elected Speaker in 1841.
Future Presidential candidate James G. Blaine in 1884Â was also 39 when elected Speaker in 1869.
Future President James K. Polk, the only Speaker to be elected President, was only 40 when elected in 1835.
Andrew Stevenson was elected Speaker at age 43 in 1827.
Theodore Pomeroy was also 43 when elected Speaker in 1867.
Nathaniel Macon was 44 when elected Speaker in 1801.
So Ryan is 18th youngest of 54 who have held the Speakership!