Richard Bertrand Spencer (born May 11, 1978) is an American [white nationalist](https://doctorparadox.net/save-democracy/right-wing-ideologies/white-nationalist-beliefs/), white supremacist, and political commentator who is widely recognized for coining the term "alternative right" (later shortened to "[[alt-right]]"). He has been a prominent figure in the alt-right movement, known for his far-right views and advocacy for the establishment of a white ethnostate in North America. ## Early life and education Spencer was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Dallas, Texas. He attended St. Mark's School of Texas and later pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, where he majored in English literature and music. After completing his bachelor's degree, Spencer went on to earn a Master of Arts in humanities from the University of Chicago. He also pursued a Ph.D. in modern European intellectual history at Duke University but did not complete the program. ## Career and alt-right involvement In 2007, Spencer began his career as an editor at The American Conservative, a conservative magazine. However, his tenure was brief, and he left the publication to join Taki's Magazine, a paleoconservative and [libertarian](https://doctorparadox.net/libertarian-narcissism-right-wing-ideology/) online publication. It was during his time at Taki's Magazine that Spencer first used the term "alternative right" in 2008. In 2010, Spencer founded the website AlternativeRight.com, which served as a platform for sharing far-right ideas and discussions. The site quickly became a hub for white nationalists, anti-globalists, and other alt-right followers. Spencer later became the president of the National Policy Institute (NPI), a white nationalist [[think tank]] based in Virginia. He has also been involved in the publication of several alt-right journals and websites, such as Radix Journal and Altright.com. Controversies and public image: Richard Spencer has been a controversial figure due to his far-right views, promotion of white nationalism and [[white supremacy]], and involvement in numerous high-profile incidents. He gained significant media attention after leading a [[Unite the Right rally]] in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, which resulted in violent clashes and the death of a counter-protester. Spencer has been banned from multiple social media platforms and has faced various forms of protest and opposition throughout his career. Despite the waning influence of the alt-right movement, Spencer remains an outspoken advocate for white nationalism and far-right ideologies.