Richard Wilson Riley was the Secretary of Education of the United States under the administration of President Bill Clinton. He held this office during both the President’s terms in office from the 21st of January 1993 to the 20th of January 2001. He was also the Governor of the state of South Carolina from the 10th of January 1979 to the 14th of January 1987. As the Secretary of Education he was preceded in office by Lamar Alexander and was succeeded by Rod Paige in George Bush’s administration.

Riley was born on the 2nd of January 1933 in Greenville County in his home state of South Carolina. He graduated in the year 1954 from the Furman University with honours. He later got a degree in law from the University of South Carolina in the year 1959 after he served in the Navy during 1954 and 1955.