SIU’s Paul Simon Institute hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning author on Jimmy Carter’s statesmanship

October 25, 2024

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Kai Bird, a highly respected biographer and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on Wednesday, Oct. 30, for a virtual discussion on the statesmanship of former President Jimmy Carter.

Bird will join John Shaw, institute director, to discuss his 2021 biography of Carter, "The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter," as well as several of his other books.

The discussion, via Zoom at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public, but registration to view the conversation is required. The discussion is part of the institute's "Understanding Our New World" discussion series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register.

"His biography of Jimmy Carter shatters the conventional narrative that Carter was a failed president who only redeemed himself with a distinguished career as a former president," Shaw said. "Bird shows that Carter was a far more consequential president than we had assumed. The Carter described by Bird was both visionary and courageous."

Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, turned 100 years old on Oct. 1 and is the nation's longest-living president.

Bird is the author of seven books, including five biographies. He is the co-author of "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer," which won a 2006 Pulitzer Prize. The book was the basis for the award-winning 2023 film "Oppenheimer."

"Kai Bird is a remarkable biographer who is highly skilled at studying complex people and helping us understand their unique qualities," Shaw said.

Bird is the executive director of the Leon Levy Center for Biography at the City University of New York.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Bird on the registration form or email questions to [email protected].

More information, a list of the institute's upcoming events and past speakers and events are available.