National Portrait Gallery Honors Former President James Earl Carter Jr.

A former naval officer, peanut farmer and Georgia governor, Jimmy Carter was elected President in 1976 with the slogan “A leader, for a change.” His lack of national political experience proved advantageous as he sought to rebuild public trust following the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War.

In office, Carter endorsed environmental protection and energy-reform legislation and brokered a landmark peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. However, his failure to curb historically high inflation and secure the release of Americans detained during the Iranian hostage crisis (1979–81) contributed to his defeat in the 1980 election.

Out of office, few Presidents remained as civically engaged as Carter. He authored numerous books, regularly volunteered for Habit for Humanity, and with his wife Rosalynn, co-founded the Carter Center to promote international peace and human rights in 1982. The Carter Center has since worked to eradicate Guinea worm disease, observed elections in more than forty countries and fought to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

In 2002, Carter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize noting, 

“The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices. God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering.”

In memory of former President James Earl Carter Jr., the National Portrait Gallery has added a drape to his portrait in the America’s Presidents gallery. Visitors may pay their respects and record their thoughts in a comment book next to the portrait.

Gabrielle Obusek | READ MORE

Gabrielle Obusek is the public affairs specialist for the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.