William John Bennett (commonly known as William J. Bennett) is an American conservative political commentator, author, radio host, and former government official. Born on July 31, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, he grew up in Washington, D.C., where he attended Gonzaga College High School. He graduated from Williams College in 1965 with a B.A. in philosophy, during which he played football as a lineman and earned the nickname 'the ram' after an incident involving butting down a door. Bennett worked his way through college and graduate school with scholarships, loans, and part-time jobs. He later earned a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Texas and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, establishing a strong academic foundation before entering public service.

Bennett's government career began during the Reagan administration. He served as U.S. Secretary of Education from 1985 to 1988, where he focused on promoting school choice, criticizing affirmative action, and advocating for traditional values in education. Following his tenure, he was appointed Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (often called the 'drug czar') under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1990, emphasizing a tough-on-crime approach to the war on drugs. After leaving government, Bennett transitioned into media and advocacy, becoming a prominent conservative voice.

In his later career, Bennett hosted the nationally syndicated radio show 'Bill Bennett's Morning in America' and co-hosted 'Morning in America' on the Salem Radio Network. He has authored several books, including 'The Book of Virtues' (1993), a bestseller promoting moral education, and more recent works like 'The Book of Man' (2011). Bennett has been involved with organizations such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Empower America, a conservative think tank he co-founded. Known for his staunch social conservatism, he has commented on issues like education reform, family values, and national security, influencing Republican policy discussions for decades.