Joe Biden: 46th President of the United States — Biography and Overview

Early life, education and entry into politics

Biden was born in 1942 and raised principally in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and later Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated from the University of Delaware and earned a law degree from Syracuse University. After practicing law and serving on a county council, he won election to the U.S. Senate in 1972 at a young age. His early years in the Senate established him as a legislator interested in criminal justice, corporate regulation, and foreign affairs.

Senate career and vice presidency

As a U.S. senator from 1973 until 2009, Biden chaired several committees and participated in major legislative debates on crime, civil rights, and U.S. foreign policy. He was known for working across the aisle on certain issues and for his detailed knowledge of Senate procedure. In 2008, Senator Barack Obama selected Biden as his running mate; Biden served as vice president from 2009 to 2017, where he took responsibilities including oversight of infrastructure and diplomatic engagement with allies.

2020 campaign and presidency

Biden launched his 2020 presidential campaign in April 2019 and became the Democratic nominee after the spring primary contests. He defeated the incumbent in the 2020 general election and took office in January 2021. His administration has emphasized pandemic response and vaccination rollout, economic relief, infrastructure investment, climate policy, and reasserting alliances abroad. Biden is the oldest person to assume the U.S. presidency and the first president from Delaware.

Policy focus and public image

Biden’s policy approach combines long-standing commitments to middle-class economic security, support for labor and manufacturing, and a pragmatic foreign policy that favors diplomacy and coalition-building. His presidency has prioritized legislative proposals on infrastructure, competitive economic policy, environmental measures, and expanding access to health care. Public perceptions of Biden reflect his reputation as an experienced legislator and a stabilizing figure for many voters, while critics question his positions on specific policy trade-offs and administrative choices.

Personal life, honors and notable facts

Biden is a Roman Catholic and has received multiple honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. After leaving the vice presidency in 2017 he worked in the academic and public policy sphere before running for president. He is the second Catholic to become U.S. president after John F. Kennedy and has a long record of public service beginning in local government and extending to the nation’s highest offices.

Selected topics and references

• Presidency overview
• United States government
• Barack Obama administration
• Democratic Party
• Wilmington, Delaware
• Senate career and Delaware representation
• 2008 presidential election
• U.S. Senator roles
• Running mate selection and duties
• Honorary degrees and recognitions
• Alma mater and legal education
• International honors and relationships
• Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Academic appointments after vice presidency
• 2019 presidential campaign launch
• 2020 election
• Primary contests and opponents
• 2020 general election opponent
• Inauguration and transition
• Religion and public life
• Historical comparisons (e.g., John F. Kennedy)