James Earl Carter Jr. (commonly known as Jimmy Carter, born October 1, 1924) was the thirty-ninth President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Before being president, Jimmy Carter was the 76th Governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975

The final year of his presidential term was dominated by the Iran hostage crisis, during which the United States struggled to rescue diplomats and American citizens held hostage in Tehran. By 1980, Carter was so unpopular that he was challenged by Ted Kennedy for the Democratic Party nomination in 1980. Carter received the Democratic nomination, but lost the election to Republican Ronald Reagan.

He is also a key figure in Habitat for Humanity.  Carter also became a prolific author, writing 27 books.

As of 2007, he is the earliest living president and the second-oldest living president.