Jobs US Presidents Held Before Office: From Farmers to Diplomats

Key facts

• US presidents have had diverse careers before entering office.
• Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer.
• Abraham Lincoln served as a postmaster in New Salem, Illinois.
• John F. Kennedy worked as a foreign correspondent for Hearst Newspapers.
• John Adams served as a diplomat in European countries.
• Martin Van Buren held positions as a New York State Senator and Attorney General.
• Andrew Johnson worked as a tailor from a young age.
• Grover Cleveland was the sheriff of Erie County, New York.

Before assuming the presidency, many US leaders pursued careers outside of politics, showcasing a diverse range of professional backgrounds. Jimmy Carter is famously known for his work as a peanut farmer. Abraham Lincoln held the position of postmaster in New Salem, Illinois, from 1833 to 1836, and would even hand-deliver mail to residents. John F. Kennedy reported as a foreign correspondent for Hearst Newspapers prior to his political career.

John Adams served as a diplomat in France, the Netherlands, and Great Britain between 1778 and 1788, though his temperament was considered challenging for diplomacy. Martin Van Buren served two terms in the New York State Senate and was elected New York attorney general in 1815, where he was noted for his political acumen. Andrew Johnson began his career as a tailor at age 17 in Greeneville, Tennessee, emphasizing his commitment to quality work and punctuality. Grover Cleveland served as the sheriff of Erie County, New York, where he was responsible for sentencing three murderers.