James Clayton Dobson Jr. (born April 21, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American child psychologist, evangelical Christian author, and founder of Focus on the Family (FotF), which he led from 1977 until 2010. He earned a PhD in child development from the University of Southern California and initially worked as a professor and counselor before transitioning to broadcasting and advocacy. Dobson founded and hosted the radio program "Focus on the Family," which reached millions and established him as an influential evangelical leader and prominent spokesman for the Religious Right during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1983, he co-founded the Family Research Council as a political arm to advocate for conservative policies and family values. Dobson advised multiple U.S. presidents, including Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, authored bestselling books such as "Dare to Discipline" (1970), and was frequently compared to leaders like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Although never an ordained minister, The New York Times called him "the nation's most influential evangelical leader." After stepping down from Focus on the Family in 2010, he continued to influence public discourse through his writings and occasional public appearances.