# Billy Graham

> American Christian evangelist (1918–2018)

**Wikidata**: [Q213550](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q213550)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Graham)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/billy-graham

## Summary
Billy Graham was an American Christian evangelist and one of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century. Known for his global preaching tours and televised sermons, he advised multiple U.S. presidents and shaped modern evangelical Christianity.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 7, 1918
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Wheaton College, Bob Jones University
- **Known for**: Evangelical Christian ministry, global crusades, and spiritual advisorship to U.S. presidents
- **Employer(s)**: Christianity Today (founder), Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
- **Field(s)**: Theology, evangelism, Christian ministry

## Contributions
Billy Graham conducted over 400 crusades in 185 countries, preaching to an estimated 215 million people. He founded *Christianity Today* magazine in 1956, which became a leading evangelical publication. His "Modesto Manifesto" (1948) set ethical standards for evangelists, emphasizing financial transparency and avoiding scandal. Graham also authored numerous books, including *Just As I Am* (1997), his autobiography.

## FAQs
**What was Billy Graham's role in American politics?**
Billy Graham served as a spiritual advisor to U.S. presidents from Truman to Obama, blending faith with public life.

**What awards did Billy Graham receive?**
He was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1983), Congressional Gold Medal (1996), and Templeton Prize (1982).

**How did Billy Graham influence evangelical Christianity?**
His crusades popularized mass evangelism, and his media presence (TV, radio, films) expanded Christianity's global reach.

**What was the Modesto Manifesto?**
A 1948 pledge by Graham and his team to avoid financial, sexual, and ethical scandals, setting a precedent for evangelical accountability.

## Why They Matter
Billy Graham redefined evangelical Christianity by leveraging mass media to spread his message, making faith accessible to millions. His ethical standards (Modesto Manifesto) became a model for religious leaders. Politically, his influence bridged church and state, shaping American conservatism.

## Notable For
- Preaching to 215 million people across 185 countries
- Founding *Christianity Today* (1956)
- Spiritual advisor to 12 U.S. presidents
- Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1983)
- Author of *Just As I Am* (1997)
- Creator of the Modesto Manifesto (1948)
- Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (1999)
- Awarded the Templeton Prize (1982)

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Billy Graham was born on November 7, 1918, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended Bob Jones University and later graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois, where he studied theology.

### Evangelistic Career
Graham began his ministry in 1947, organizing large-scale crusades that drew massive crowds. His 1949 Los Angeles crusade, extended due to media coverage, catapulted him to national fame. By the 1950s, he was a global figure, preaching in stadiums worldwide.

### Media and Publications
Graham pioneered the use of television and radio to broadcast sermons, reaching audiences beyond physical venues. He founded *Christianity Today* in 1956, which remains a key evangelical publication. His autobiography, *Just As I Am* (1997), detailed his life and ministry.

### Political Influence
Graham advised U.S. presidents from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, often praying with them during crises. His relationship with Richard Nixon was particularly close, though later strained by the Watergate scandal.

### Ethical Standards
In 1948, Graham and his team drafted the Modesto Manifesto, a set of rules to avoid financial mismanagement, sexual misconduct, and exaggerated success claims. This became a benchmark for evangelical integrity.

### Awards and Recognition
Graham received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1983), Congressional Gold Medal (1996), and Templeton Prize (1982). He was also knighted as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

### Legacy
Billy Graham died on February 21, 2018, leaving a legacy as the "Pastor to Presidents" and a pioneer of modern evangelism. His work shaped global Christianity and set ethical standards for religious leaders.

## References

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4. [Records of persons of interest](http://svazky.cz/test/svazkyMT.php?jmeno=William&prijm=Graham&dnar=07.11.1918&hledej=Hledat)
5. [Source](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47639)
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23. [Source](http://svazky.cz/test/svazkyMT.php?jmeno=William&prijm=Graham&dnar=07.11.1918&hledej=Hledat)
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