Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., the 46th President of the United States, assumed office in January 2021 after nearly five decades in federal politics. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1942, Biden served as Delaware’s U.S. Senator from 1973 to 2009, then as Vice President under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. At age 78, he became the oldest president in American history, the first from Delaware, and only the second Catholic president. His thorough political journey reveals extensive leadership experience across multiple governmental branches.
A lifetime of public service spanning five decades has defined Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., who rose from working-class roots in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to become the 46th President of the United States at age 78, making him the oldest person ever to assume the presidency.
Born on November 20, 1942, Biden’s early years were marked by his family’s relocation to Delaware, where he would eventually establish his political base and legal career. As a child, he overcame a severe stutter through determination and developed the resilience that would characterize his later political career.
Biden’s formative years in Delaware laid the foundation for a political career that would span over half a century.
After graduating from the University of Delaware and earning his law degree from Syracuse University Law School in 1968, Biden was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969. He began his career as a trial attorney and public defender in Wilmington before entering politics through his service on the New Castle County Council from 1970 to 1972.
His rapid political ascent culminated in his election to the U.S. Senate in 1972 at age 29, though personal tragedy struck that same year with the death of his wife and daughter.
Biden’s Senate career, spanning from 1973 to 2009, established him as a prominent figure in American politics, particularly in foreign relations and criminal justice matters. He rose to chair both the Senate Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees, becoming known for bipartisan legislative efforts and his advocacy for violence against women legislation.
His extensive experience in foreign policy and domestic issues made him a respected voice in the chamber for over three decades.
Selected as Barack Obama’s running mate in 2008, Biden served as the 47th Vice President from 2009 to 2017. During his vice presidency, he oversaw implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, led the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative to accelerate cancer research, and continued his advocacy on violence against women issues while advising on key foreign policy matters.
Biden’s presidential campaign in 2020 resulted in victory over incumbent Donald Trump, making him the first president from Delaware and the second Catholic president in U.S. history. His running mate, Kamala Harris, became the first woman, African American, and person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president.
Biden’s presidency focused on COVID-19 response, economic recovery, and climate initiatives. During his time in office, he nominated over 240 individuals to the federal judiciary, including Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black female Supreme Court justice.
After announcing his reelection bid in April 2023, Biden ended his candidacy in July 2024 following criticism of his debate performance and party pressure, becoming the first president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 not to seek reelection.
He endorsed Vice President Harris for the Democratic nomination and delivered a farewell address warning about rising oligarchy and misinformation threats to American democracy.
