Richard Nixon

Nixon, Richard Milhous (1913-1994), 37th president of the United States (1969-1974), and the only one to have resigned from office.

Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California, on January 9, 1913. His parents were poor, and his early life was one of hard work and study. He was a gifted student, graduating in 1934 as second in his class at Whittier College in Whittier, California, and third in his class at Duke University Law School in 1937. Unable to find a position with a Wall Street (New York City) law firm after his graduation, Nixon returned to Whittier to practice. There he met Thelma Catherine (Pat) Ryan, whom he married in 1940. Nixon enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and served as a supply officer in the South Pacific during World War II (1939-1945). He left the service as a lieutenant commander.

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