10 Things to Know About Jimmy Carter

Now that he’s endorsed Obama, get to know Carter.

Elder Statesman - Former President James “Jimmy” Carter will address the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night via video. BET.com takes a look at some things you should know about the 39th president. — Naeesa Aziz (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Elder Statesman - Former President James “Jimmy” Carter will address the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night via video. BET.com takes a look at some things you should know about the 39th president. — Naeesa Aziz (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Former President Jimmy Carter - Carter has been an advocate for Davis since 2008."This case illustrates the deep flaws in the application of the death penalty in this country," said Carter. "Executing Troy Davis without a real examination of potentially exonerating evidence risks taking the life of an innocent man and would be a grave miscarriage of justice. The citizens of Georgia should demand the highest standards of proof when our legal system condemns on our behalf a man or woman to die."(Photo: REUTERS/Chris Wattie)

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Global Champion - Democratic National Convention chair Antonio Villaraigosa called Carter “one of the greatest humanitarian leaders of our time and a champion of democracy around the globe,” due to his track record of championing human rights issues. Carter’s speech at the DNC is meant to provide insight into President Obama’s ability to move America forward. (Photo: Reuters/Chris Wattie)

Nobel Winner - In 2002, President Carter was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." (Photo: Central Press/Getty Images)

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Nobel Winner - In 2002, President Carter was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." (Photo: Central Press/Getty Images)

Southern Son - Carter was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Ga., to his parents James Earl Carter Sr., a farmer and businessman, and Lillian Gordy Carter, a registered nurse. He attended Georgia Southwestern College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, and received a bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Southern Son - Carter was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Ga., to his parents James Earl Carter Sr., a farmer and businessman, and Lillian Gordy Carter, a registered nurse. He attended Georgia Southwestern College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, and received a bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Jimmy Carter - Eight years after Martin Luther King Day was proposed to Congress to become a federal holiday, the 39th president, President Jimmy Carter, proclaimed Jan. 15, 1973, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to honor the slain Black leader.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Prolific and Presidential - Carter is the author of 27 books, including several memoirs and books about spirituality. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Habitat for Humanity - Since 1984, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have donated one week a year of their time to Habitat for Humanity. The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project is held at a different location around the world each year and helps to raise global awareness of the need for affordable housing. (Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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Habitat for Humanity - Since 1984, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have donated one week a year of their time to Habitat for Humanity. The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project is held at a different location around the world each year and helps to raise global awareness of the need for affordable housing. (Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Open Critic - Although Carter is supporting another Obama White House, he hasn’t shied away from criticizing President Obama’s policies, calling the use of drone strikes to target terrorists a “widespread abuse of human rights.” (Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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Open Critic - Although Carter is supporting another Obama White House, he hasn’t shied away from criticizing President Obama’s policies, calling the use of drone strikes to target terrorists a “widespread abuse of human rights.” (Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Jimmy Carter - In 1977, Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president of the United States of America. (Photo: Brian Alpert/Keystone/Getty Images)

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Conflict Mediator - Through the Carter Center, President Carter has been involved in the conflict resolution of several critical disputes around the world, including in North Korea, Liberia, Haiti, Bosnia, Sudan and several other nations. (Photo: Brian Alpert/Keystone/Getty Images)

President Jimmy Carter - "Executing Troy Davis without a real examination of potentially exonerating evidence risks taking the life of an innocent man and would be a grave miscarriage of justice.  The citizens of Georgia should demand the highest standards of proof when our legal system condemns on our behalf a man or woman to die."   (Photo: REUTERS/Tami Chappell)

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Center of Service - In 1982, President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, launched The Carter Center in partnership with Atlanta’s Emory University to advance peace and health worldwide. (Photo: Reuters/Tami Chappell)

Trailblazer - During his time in office, Carter is credited with creating the Department of Education, bolstering the Social Security system and appointing record numbers of women, African-Americans and Latinos to government posts. (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

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Trailblazer - During his time in office, Carter is credited with creating the Department of Education, bolstering the Social Security system and appointing record numbers of women, African-Americans and Latinos to government posts. (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)