James Brady White House Press Secretary under Ronald Reagan Date of Birth: 29.08.1940 Country: USA

Biography of James Brady

James Scott "Jim" Brady was born on August 29, 1940, in Centralia, Illinois. He was an avid Boy Scout during his childhood. In 1962, Brady graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He began his political career as a staff member in the office of Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen, his home state senator.

During the summer of 1962, Brady worked in the Department of Justice in the Antitrust Division. In the following years, he taught at the University of Illinois and served as the Director of Public Relations for the Illinois Medical Society. He also held various public and political positions within the state. In 1970, James Brady managed Phyllis Schlafly's congressional campaign, and from 1973 to 1975, he worked as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Brady reached the pinnacle of his career in January 1981 under President Ronald Reagan. He was appointed as an Assistant to the President and the White House Press Secretary. However, on March 30, 1981, President Reagan was the target of an assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. During the attack, Brady sustained a severe gunshot wound to the head. Despite his injuries, he remained in his position as the White House Press Secretary until the end of Reagan's presidency.

Following the assassination attempt, James Brady became an ardent advocate for gun control. Despite the media reporting his death immediately after the incident, Brady survived. He underwent a complex brain surgery led by Dr. Arthur Kobrine, who stated that neither he nor his patient had been informed about the false reports in the media.

Although Brady survived the assassination attempt, he became disabled, partially paralyzed, and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Consequently, he was unable to fulfill the duties of the White House Press Secretary. However, he retained the title until the subsequent president took office.

James Brady is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees. On February 11, 2000, President Bill Clinton officially designated the White House Briefing Room as the "James S. Brady Press Briefing Room" in his honor.