Nixon, Richard

Cultural  

1. A political leader of the twentieth century. A member of Congress in the late 1940s, Nixon came to national attention through his strong support for the investigation of the alleged communist Alger Hiss. He was elected vice president twice under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, but narrowly lost the presidential election of 1960 to John F. Kennedy. He ran for governor of California two years later, was defeated again, and left politics for several years to practice law in New York City. Nixon reemerged as the Republican presidential candidate in 1968 and defeated Hubert Humphrey and George Wallace in the election. The best-remembered events of his presidency were his visits to the People's Republic of China and to the Soviet Union; a cease-fire in Vietnam and withdrawal of United States forces from that country; and the Watergate scandal, which led to his downfall. In 1974, under immediate threat of impeachment, he became the first president to resign from office.

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Nixon was later pardoned by President Gerald Ford and after some years reemerged as a commentator on foreign policy.

Nixon received the nickname “Tricky Dick” for his early reputation for deviousness.

Example Sentences

His name was also Nixon—Richard Nixon—and we voted him into office twice.

From Slate

Something of the same forlorn shabbiness seemed to cling to F. Donald Nixon, Richard's younger brother, whose dubious business deals included a shadowy $205,000 loan from Howard Hughes.

From Time Magazine Archive

Near campaign's end, one of these was none other than Mrs. Han nah Nixon, Richard's mother.

From Time Magazine Archive

Nixon/Nixon Richard Nixon, no less than David Frost, was a TV personality.

From Time Magazine Archive