The Origins of Joseph R. Biden

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is the oldest of four siblings and the oldest living child of Joseph and Catherine Biden. His mother worked as a homemaker, while his father worked as a used car salesman and later as a cleaning supply salesman.

Biden attended Archmere Academy, a Catholic prep school in Claymont, Delaware, and graduated in 1961. He then attended the University of Delaware, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science in 1965. After graduation, he attended Syracuse University College of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1968.

Biden began his political career in 1970 when he was elected to the New Castle County Council in Delaware. In 1972, at the age of 29, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the sixth-youngest senator in U.S. history. He served in the Senate for 36 years, from 1973 to 2009.

During his time in the Senate, Biden played a key role in a number of important pieces of legislation. He was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor, and was also involved in the passage of the Violence Against Women Act and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986.

In 1988, Biden announced his candidacy for president, but withdrew from the race after allegations of plagiarism. He ran again in 2008, but withdrew from the race after finishing fifth in the Iowa caucuses. Later that year, he was chosen as Barack Obama's running mate in the 2008 presidential election. The Obama-Biden ticket went on to win the election and Biden was sworn in as vice president on January 20, 2009.

As vice president, Biden played a key role in the Obama administration's foreign and domestic policy. He was instrumental in the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the administration's efforts to combat climate change. He also worked to improve relations with foreign leaders and played a key role in the administration's efforts to combat terrorism.

In 2012, Obama and Biden were re-elected to a second term in office. During his second term as vice president, Biden continued to focus on issues such as climate change, gun control, and immigration reform. He also served as a key advisor to Obama on a range of issues, including the administration's response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the negotiations to reach the Iran nuclear deal.

In 2020, Biden announced his candidacy for president and won the Democratic nomination. He faced incumbent president Donald Trump in the general election and was declared the winner on November 7, 2020, becoming the oldest person ever to be elected president.

Throughout his career, Biden has been known for his ability to work across party lines and his commitment to public service. He has been married to his wife, Jill, since 1977 and has four children and several grandchildren. In addition to his political career, Biden has also been active in a number of charitable and nonprofit organizations, including the Biden Breast Health Initiative and the Biden Foundation.