Birthday

Edwards was born June 10, 1953, in Seneca, S.C., and grew up in Robbins, N.C..

Education

Edwards was the first person is in his family to go to college, attending North Carolina State University. He graduated with high honors in 1974. He then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a law degree with honors in 1977.

Pre-Congressional career

Edwards was a lawyer for 20 years, representing families and children against insurance industries.

Congressional career

Edwards was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998. He served on several Small Business Committees and the Select Committee on Intelligence. After the 2004 Democratic primaries, Sen. John Kerry asked Edwards to serve as his running mate in the 2004 election.

Declared candidacy

Edwards declared presidential candidacy on Dec. 27, 2006.

Family life

n Edwards and his wife Elizabeth met when both were law students at Chapel Hill. They married in 1977 and have four children: Catharine, Emma Claire and Jack. Their first child, Wade, died in 1996.

Religion

Methodist