Wendell Willkie was an American lawyer and politician who gained national prominence as the Republican candidate for President in the 1940 election. Born on February 18, 1892, in Elwood, Indiana, he initially worked in the utility industry and became the president of the Commonwealth & Southern Corporation. Willkie was known for his strong opposition to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies and advocated for civil rights and internationalism. Despite losing the election to Roosevelt, Willkie remained influential in American politics. He was a vocal supporter of the Allied powers during World War II and traveled extensively to promote unity among nations. Willkie's legacy includes his efforts to bridge political divides and his commitment to democracy, which continued until his death on October 8, 1944.