Miller Center Looks at Barack Obama's Life Before Becoming President

An Atherton, California-based financial executive with extensive experience in venture capital, private equity investing, and entrepreneurship, David Colin Burke is the chairman and CEO of Selby Lane, LLC. Having earned a master's degree in international relations as well as a juris doctor from the University of Virginia (UVA), David Colin Burke maintains affiliation to the university through support of the UVA Miller Center of Presidential Studies.

The UVA Miller Center is a nonpartisan academic organization that focuses on presidential scholarships and political history. It has produced several books on presidents and featured online content on topics such as Watergate, the Vietnam War, and Barack Obama's life before becoming the 44th president of the US.

Obama's life from his youth up until 2004 is covered in the latter essay, which was edited by Rhodes College professor Michael Nelson. Born in Hawaii, Obama later lived for four years with his mother and stepfather in Indonesia. He stated that experiencing such diverse cultures at an early age was a benefit to his life and career in politics.

The essay also touches on Obama's education, family life, and relationship with religion. He was, as he once wrote, "not raised in a religious household," but was baptized and became a Christian in 1988 at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. The essay concludes with Obama's rise as a prominent figure in federal politics with his election to the US Senate in 2004. It also touches on his memorable speech that year at the Democratic National Convention.