John Edwards' Biography

John Edwards' Biography

Many Americans recognize John Edwards as the second coming of Jimmy Carter; the soft-spoken Democratic Senator from the south. They know him as the running mate of John Kerry in his 2004 Presidential campaign. But before the North Carolina Senator entertained aspirations of President or Vice-President of the United States, John Edwards made a name for himself as a successful trial lawyer, a strong husband and father, and charismatic politician.

Born in Seneca, South Carolina on June 10th 1953, Johnny Reid Edwards was raised a Methodist and learned the values of hard work and perseverance from his father, Wallace and mother, Bobbie, while growing up in Robbins, North Carolina. Working alongside his father in the textile mill, John was taught that all Americans should be treated equally and that the voice of every man and woman in the United States should be heard. He grew up without the benefit of a private school education, something of which Edwards is, to this day, extremely proud. He was the first of his family to go to college. John attended North Carolina State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1974 with a BS in textile technology, an impressive accomplishment by any standard. But given the values of hard work and perseverance learned by his parents, John Edwards did not quit his schooling after a BS from NC State. He continued on to the University of North Carolina (at Chapel Hill) where he graduated their law program Cum Laude in 1977. While attending law school at UNC, he met his wife, Elizabeth Anania, whom he married in 1977.

John Edwards dedicated his professional life to helping those who couldn’t help themselves. Following his graduation from law school, John Edwards spent a year clerking for the office of Judge Franklin Dupree, Jr. of the United States District Court (Eastern District). In 1978, he accepted an associate position working for the firm of Dearborn and Ewing, where he practiced law for three years. He jumped ship to work for another firm, Tharrington, Smith and Hargrove, a position he held for two years before being promoted to partner at that firm. He continued as a partner at Tharrington, Smith and Hargrove until 1992, when he left to start his own law practice with fellow lawyer, David Kirby. Edwards and Kirby practiced together for five years, until Edwards decided to try his h...

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...inly not out, having overcome before. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have struggled with the loss of a child, Wade (their eldest), in 1996 from a car accident. He was also survived by a younger sister, Cate, a recent Princeton grad. After Wade’s death, John and Elizabeth decided to conceive children again, giving birth to Emma Claire and Jack. And while the tragedy of losing a child cannot be confused with the misfortune of losing an election, the will, courage and perseverance to continue, necessary to overcome is present in John Edwards. It is unlikely that American voters have seen the last of the gentleman from North Carolina. I suspect we could see him again in 2008. But just in case we don’t, it can’t hurt to have a lawyer of his caliber working for the Democrats to amend the Constitution so that Bill Clinton can run again.

Works Cited:

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/john_edwards.asp

http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=CNC68243

http://www2.gwu.edu/~action/2004/edwards/edwards.html

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/02/elec04.prez.main/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Edwards

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3326255.stm