Dick Cheney, who has died at the age of 84, had a glittering - if controversial - career in American public life.
He served as President Gerald Ford's White House chief of staff in the 1970s, before spending a decade in the House of Representatives.
President George H W Bush made him defence secretary during the first Gulf War and the US invasion of Panama.
In 2001, Cheney became one of the most powerful vice-presidents in history.
He was a key architect of President George W Bush's 'War on Terror' after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and an early advocate of the invasion of Iraq.
But, in his final years, he became a bitter critic of the Republican party under the leadership of President Donald Trump.
In our nation's 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic, Cheney said.
Richard Bruce Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. Undeniably shaped by controversy, his early avoidance of military service during the Vietnam War, and later pro-war policies, contributed to his complex legacy.
Cheney's career highlights include pivotal decisions during the Gulf War and the decision to invade Iraq, alongside influencing tax policy and national security strategy. However, his agenda also included transforming the Republican Party, making him a polarizing figure who was both revered and reviled.
