Jimmy Carter

"Jimmy Carter: Citizen of the South uses photographs and oral histories to illuminate the distinctly Southern life of the former President. The South nurtured Carter, provided a launching pad for his political career, and supported the various activities of his post-presidential life. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter both grew up in Plains, Georgia. Upon returning to Plains after attending Georgia Tech and serving in the Navy, Carter farmed and ran a peanut warehouse while he and Rosalynn raised their family. In 1962, he won election to the Georgia Senate and became Governor just eight years later. With the assistance of many Georgians, he was sworn in as President of the United States in 1977. After losing his bid for reelection, Carter returned home to Plains. Folks from across the South welcomed Jimmy and Rosalynn back home. Soon after planting themselves in the South once again, Carter became a professor at Emory University and established both the Carter Presidential Library and the Carter Center in Atlanta. The Carters also became deeply involved with the Americus, Georgia charity, Habitat for Humanity. Indeed, it was in these post-presidential years that Carter cemented his status as a Citizen of the South and established himself as a force for good in Georgia, throughout the South, and across the world"--