U.S. Presidents / Jimmy Carter

Portrait of President Jimmy Carter

b. 1924

Jimmy Carter

We simply must have faith in each other, faith in our ability to govern ourselves, and faith in the future of this Nation. Restoring that faith and that confidence to America is now the most important task we face. It is a true challenge of this generation of Americans. "Crisis of Confidence" Speech

Overview

Jimmy Carter's one-term presidency is remembered for the events that overwhelmed it—inflation, energy crisis, war in Afghanistan, and hostages in Iran. After one term in office, voters strongly rejected Jimmy Carter's honest but gloomy outlook in favor of Ronald Reagan's telegenic optimism. In the past two decades, however, there has been wider recognition that Carter, despite a lack of experience, confronted several huge problems with steadiness, courage, and idealism. Along with his predecessor Gerald Ford, Carter must be given credit for restoring the balance to the constitutional system after the excesses of the Johnson and Nixon "imperial presidency."

Fast Facts

James Earl Carter, Jr.
Plains, Georgia
Georgia Southwestern College, 1941–1942; Georgia Institute of Technology, 1942–1943; United States Naval Academy, 1943–1946 (class of 1947); Union College, 1952–1953
Baptist
Soldier; Farmer, Warehouseman, Public Official, Professor
Democratic
Eleanor Rosalynn Smith (b. August 18, 1927), July 7, 1946
John William (Jack) (1947–), James Earl III (Chip) (1950–), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff) (1952–), Amy Lynn (1967–)
39
Robert A. Strong

Chicago Style

Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia. “Jimmy Carter.” Accessed October 25, 2024. https://millercenter.org/president/carter.

Professor of Politics

Robert A. Strong

Professor Strong is the William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University. He is also an associate editor of the White House Studies journal and has worked on the Presidential Oral History program at the Miller Center.