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 John Kerry's running mate in his 2004 presidential campaign. But before the North Carolina senator had aspirations of being president or vice president of the United States, John Edwards made a name for himself as a successful lawyer, strong husband and father, and charismatic politician. Born in Seneca, South Carolina on June October 10, 1953, Johnny Reid Edwards was raised Methodist and learned the values ​​of hard work and perseverance from his father, Wallace, and mother, Bobbie, while growing up in Robbins, in North Carolina. Working alongside his father in the textile industry, 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 Edwards is, to this day, extremely proud of. He was the first in his family to go to college. John attended North Carolina State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1974 with a degree in textile technology, an impressive achievement by any standard. But given the values ​​of hard work and perseverance he learned from his parents, John Edwards didn't drop out after earning a bachelor's degree from NC State. He went on to attend the University of North Carolina (at Chapel Hill) where he graduated with a law degree with honors 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. After graduating from law school, John Edwards spent a year as a clerk in 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 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 set up his own law firm with fellow barrister David Kirby. Edwards and Kirby practiced together for five years, until Edwards decided to try his h... middle of paper... but failed, having already passed it previously. He and his wife, Elizabeth, struggled with the loss of a son, Wade (their oldest), in 1996 in a car accident. He is also survived by a younger sister, Cate, a recent Princeton graduate. 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, needed to overcome, are present in John Edwards. It is unlikely that American voters have seen the last of the gentleman from North Carolina. I suspect we might 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 Bill Clinton can run again. Works Cited: http://www.johnedwards2004.com/john_edwards.asphttp://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=CNC68243http://www2.gwu.edu/~action/2004/edwards/ edwards.htmlhttp