Encyclopedia · Person
Ben Carson
American neurosurgeon and former U.S. housing secretary
Personal details
- Full name
- Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr.
- Born
- September 18, 1951 · Detroit, Michigan
- Education
- Yale University; University of Michigan Medical School, M.D.
- Spouse
- Candy Carson
- Children
- Three sons
- Public office
- U.S. secretary of housing and urban development, 2017–2021
Ben Carson is an American neurosurgeon and former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development.
Medicine and public service
Carson led pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins and became known for operations involving conjoined twins. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008. He unsuccessfully sought the 2016 Republican presidential nomination and served as secretary of housing and urban development under Donald Trump.
Project 2025
Carson authored the Department of Housing and Urban Development chapter in the Heritage Foundation’s 2023 Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise.
References
Research compiled through November 12, 2026. Sources and historical roles are dated where known.