author
Ronald Reagan
1911–2004
From small-town Illinois to Hollywood, Sacramento, and the White House, this former actor and broadcaster built one of the most recognizable public careers in modern American life. He served as the 40th president of the United States and remained a defining figure in conservative politics long after leaving office.
1 Audiobook
State of the Union Addresses
by Ronald Reagan
About the author
Born in Tampico, Illinois, in 1911, Ronald Reagan first worked as a radio sports announcer before moving into film. He appeared in dozens of movies, served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, and later became a well-known television spokesman, giving him the polished speaking style that would shape his political career.
Reagan entered politics as a Republican and was elected governor of California in 1966. In 1980 he won the presidency and served two terms as the 40th president of the United States, from 1981 to 1989. His years in office were closely associated with tax cuts, a strongly anti-communist foreign policy, and his reputation as "the Great Communicator."
After leaving the White House, he remained a major public figure. Reagan died in 2004, and his legacy is still widely discussed in American political history, with supporters praising his optimism and influence on modern conservatism and critics debating the long-term effects of his policies.