Origins & Early Life

Henry Ross Perot ( pə-ROH; June 27, 1930 – July 9, 2019) was an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He was the founder and chief executive officer of Electronic Data Systems and Perot Systems. He ran an independent campaign in the 1992 U.S. presidential election and a third-party campaign in the 1996 U.S.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

presidential election as the nominee of the Reform Party, which was formed by grassroots supporters of Perot's 1992 campaign. Although he failed to carry a single state in either election, both campaigns were among the stronger presidential showings by a third party or independent candidate in U.S. history. Born and raised in Texarkana, Texas, Perot became a salesman for IBM after serving in the United States Navy. In 1962, he founded Electronic Data Systems, a data processing service company.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1984, General Motors bought a controlling interest in the company for $2.4 billion ($6.1 billion in 2024). Perot established Perot Systems in 1988 and was an angel investor for NeXT, a computer company founded by Steve Jobs after he left Apple. Perot also became heavily involved in the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue, arguing that hundreds of American servicemen were left behind...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alfred Wegener — Contemporary (Died in 1930) (1930): Pioneering geophysicist known for proposing the theory of continental drift.
• Ali al-Sistani — Contemporary (Born in 1930) (1930): Leading Twelver Shia Islamic scholar and Grand Ayatollah of Najaf, Iraq.
• Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — Contemporary (Died in 2019) (2019): Iraqi militant leader and founder of the Islamic State (IS)
• Agnès Varda — Contemporary (Died in 2019) (2019): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Akihito — Contemporary (Died in 2019) (2019): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
• A. J. Ayer — Shared historical date (06-27 · Died) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Ahn So-hee — Shared historical date (06-27 · Born) (1992): South Korean actress known for Wonder Girls and Train to Busan.
• A. P. Elkin — Shared historical date (07-09 · Died) (1979): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
• Alice Paul — Shared historical date (07-09 · Died) (1977): Pioneering American suffragist and feminist leader for women's constitutional rights.
• 1930 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1930
• June 27 (06-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 27
• 2019 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2019
• July 9 (07-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 9