Richard Nixon Biography

Richard Nixon Biography

Full Name: Mr. Richard Milhous Nixon
Date of Birth: January 9, 1913
Place of Birth: Yorba Linda, California, USA
Died: April 22, 1994
Place of Death: New York, New York, USA
Classification: Leaders & Revolutionaries


Even as the 37 th President of the United States, Richard Nixon’s political career was both up and down. During its lowest points, it was marred with accusations of impropriety and scandal. Watergate, however, was the end of the road once tapes were found that proved Nixon had been attempting to use the CIA to block FBI investigations. He became the only president to resign from office.

Born to a service-station owner and operator, young Richard had a regular childhood growing up, mostly in California. His mother was strictly religious and taught him about the values of Quakerism – which shunned war and violence. These ideals would help him formulate his stance in regards to the Vietnam War – a war he inherited in the 1970s from his predecessors. As a young man, Nixon graduated from Duke University Law School in North Carolina and began practicing law in California. He met his future wife, Pat Nixon, a teacher, as they both were involved in the local theater.

Richard Nixon started his political career by venturing to Washington to join the Price Administration. Next, he joined the Navy and became a lieutenant commander. He won popularity for his excellent debating skills and became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He also participated in the House of Un-American Activities and was involved in the highly publicized case against Alger Hiss, who was accused of perjury.

Nixon earned the nickname “Trick Dick” when he began passing around fliers that accused his opponents of “leftist” behaviors. He gained a spot on Eisenhower’s presidential ticket because of his popularity in the western states. While serving in office with Eisenhower, he was kept out of the president’s inner loop on most issues. His main duties were campaigning and raising funds for candidates. Nixon also toured Latin America and Russia on diplomatic missions.

Nixon ran against John F. Kennedy in the presidential elections of 1960. Although poised, confident, and well spoken during the heated and televised presidential debates, Kenney possessed the youth and pizzazz that American audiences wanted and thereby won the presidential election by only 120,000 votes.

Returning to his home state, Nixon wrote the best-selling Six Crises and lost an election as governor of California. Announcing his retirement from politics, Nixon went to practice law once again. However, he went on to win the presidential election, and his administration did much for the welfare system and started the first acts of affirmative action in the government