Barry Morris Goldwater (1909-1998) was an American politician and military officer, considered one of the most influential figures in the history of American conservatism. Elected to the United States Senate for Arizona, he served five non-consecutive terms between 1953 and 1987. His career culminated in 1964 when he secured the Republican Party's presidential nomination, but he was defeated by Lyndon B. Johnson. Despite the electoral loss, his campaign is regarded as a pivotal moment in the rise of the modern conservative movement. His political ideas were articulated in his celebrated book, "The Conscience of a Conservative" (1960), in which he advocated for limited government, individual liberty, and strong anti-communism. In addition to his political career, he was a Major General in the United States Air Force Reserve. For his contributions to public life, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1986, the United States' highest civilian honor.