Richard Art Viguerie (born September 23, 1933) is an American conservative activist, political consultant, and pioneering figure in direct mail fundraising. He founded American Target Advertising and revolutionized Republican Party fundraising by leveraging targeted mailing lists to mobilize grassroots support for conservative causes, earning him the title 'funding father of the New Right.' Early in his career, Viguerie worked for Christian evangelist Billy James Hargis, which helped launch his involvement in right-wing politics. Over his more than 50-year career, he has sent over 4 billion direct mail letters, significantly influencing the growth of conservative movements and campaigns within the United States. Viguerie has been a prolific writer and commentator on politics, authoring books such as 'Go Big' and serving as chairman of ConservativeHQ.com. He is also recognized as a columnist, contributing to conservative discourse on issues ranging from law-and-order policies to the death penalty and prison reform. Despite reaching the age of 90, Viguerie remains active in political advocacy, stating that 'our work isn't finished yet,' underscoring his enduring commitment to challenging the status quo and effecting change in American conservatism. His influence extends to supporting Republican candidates and organizations, making him a key architect of modern conservative fundraising strategies, though his aggressive tactics in direct mail solicitation have occasionally drawn criticism.