Nixon, Richard M. (1913–1994)

Richard M. Nixon served as president of the United States from 1969 to 1974, when he became the only U.S. president to resign from the office. Prior to his election to the presidency in 1968, Nixon served as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives (Calif.–12th district) from 1947 to 1950, a U.S. senator from California from 1950 to 1953, and as vice president under Dwight Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961.

Perhaps more than any other American president, Nixon's political career was shaped by television. During the 1952 presidential campaign, Nixon was accused of illegally using campaign contributions for personal gain. On September 23, 1952, Nixon became one of the first politicians to use television for a direct appeal to a mass audience. The speech ...