Gerald R. Ford

Gerald Rudolph Ford (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr., July 14, 1913 - December 26, 2006) was an American politician who served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 - 1977, filling in the vacancy in the office left by the resignation of Richard M. Nixon. Ford lost a bid for a term in his own right to Jimmy Carter in 1976. Ford is the most recent President to assume the office after a vacancy left by the death or resignation of their predecessor.

Before serving as President, Ford was the 40th Vice President of the United States from 1973 - 1974 under Nixon, after being the House Minority Leader and U.S. Representative from Michigan's 5th District.