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'''Billy Graham''' (born William Franklin Graham; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was a preeminent evangelical preacher of the [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist church]].  Active for more than 60 years, Billy Graham was originally known for tent revivals and soon became known for city "crusades" in large auditoriums.  One of the most well known Christian preachers of his time, Mr. Graham has inspired over 215 million people in 185 countries around the world.

'''Billy Graham''' (born William Franklin Graham; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was a preeminent evangelical preacher of the [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist church]].  Active for over 60 years, Billy Graham was originally known for tent revivals and soon became known for city "crusades" in large auditoriums.  One of the most well known Christian preachers of his time, Mr. Graham has inspired over 215 million people in 185 countries around the world.<ref name="DeadAt99"/>

==Career==

==Career==

==Crusades==

==Crusades==

Graham's message caught fire in the 1950s, after he was heavily promoted nationwide by William Randolph Heart's newspapers in connection with a series of events that Graham held in Los Angeles. The mass-circulation national magazines (much more important in those days than today), including ''Life,'' ''Time'', ''Look,'' and ''Newsweek'' put Graham on their covers a dozen times. Advertising experts gave Graham awards two years in a row for being the most publicized person in America.  In the era of [[Jim Crow]], Graham reached across racial lines and sought integrated audiences.

Graham message caught fire in the 1950s, after he was heavily promoted nationwide by William Randolph Heart's newspapers in connection with a series of events that Graham held in Los Angeles. The mass-circulation national magazines (much more important in those days than today), including ''Life,'' ''Time'', ''Look,'' and ''Newsweek'' put Graham on their covers a dozen times. Advertising experts gave Graham awards two years in a row for being the most publicized person in America.  In the era of [[Jim Crow]], Graham reached across racial lines and sought integrated audiences.

===His audiences===

===His audiences===

<blockquote>"There would have been no Billy Graham as we know him today had it not been for Ruth" -- T.W. Wilson (longtime friend)</blockquote>

<blockquote>"There would have been no Billy Graham as we know him today had it not been for Ruth" -- T.W. Wilson (longtime friend)</blockquote>

Graham died on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99.<ref>Multiple references:

Graham died on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99.<ref name="DeadAt99">Multiple references:

*[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/21/rev-billy-graham-prominent-christian-evangelist-dead-at-99-fox-news-confirms.html The Rev. Billy Graham, prominent Christian evangelist, dead at 99, Fox News confirms]. ''Fox News''. February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.

*[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/21/rev-billy-graham-prominent-christian-evangelist-dead-at-99-fox-news-confirms.html The Rev. Billy Graham, prominent Christian evangelist, dead at 99, Fox News confirms]. ''Fox News''. February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.

*Spiering, Charlie (February 21, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/21/rev-billy-graham-dies-age-99/ Rev. Billy Graham Dies at Age 99]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 21, 2018.

*Spiering, Charlie (February 21, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/21/rev-billy-graham-dies-age-99/ Rev. Billy Graham Dies at Age 99]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 21, 2018.