Jimmy Carter began public service after a naval career and the development of his family's agricultural business in Plains, Georgia. He served in the state senate from 1963, lost a gubernatorial campaign in 1966, and won the governorship in 1970. As governor from 1971 to 1975, he reorganized state administration and declared that racial discrimination must end. He then built a presidential campaign emphasizing honesty and distance from Washington after Watergate, defeating Gerald Ford in 1976.

Carter's presidency created the Departments of Energy and Education and pursued energy conservation, environmental protections, and economic deregulation in several industries. Inflation, fuel shortages, and disputes over economic policy weakened public confidence. In foreign affairs he made human rights a more explicit concern, concluded the Panama Canal treaties, and established full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. The Camp David negotiations in 1978 led to an Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, one of the administration's principal achievements.

The Iranian Revolution and seizure of American hostages in 1979 dominated the later presidency. A failed rescue mission compounded the crisis. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan prompted sanctions, support for resistance, and a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Carter also signed the SALT II agreement, but ratification stalled as relations with the Soviet Union deteriorated. Ronald Reagan defeated him in 1980, and the hostages were released as Carter left office in January 1981.

Carter and Rosalynn established the Carter Center in 1982, developing an extensive post-presidential career in election observation, conflict mediation, disease prevention, and human rights. Programs against Guinea worm disease became particularly significant. He also worked with Habitat for Humanity and published books on politics, faith, and personal experience. The Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 recognized decades of work for peaceful solutions, democracy, and social development. He continued public engagement well into old age and died in 2024. His career includes both the difficulties of governing during economic and international crisis and the sustained influence of a former president outside formal office. The diplomatic gains and public health programs were collective undertakings, but his direct participation and institutional support helped make them durable parts of his legacy.