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When Jimmy Carter told student his opinion of Thatcher

Emily Stacey A framed letter written to President Jimmy Carter. In the top right, a handwritten reply from Carter has been written on the letter itself, and on the left is the former President's typed address. The beginning of Dr Stacey's letter is also visible. Emily Stacey
Emily Stacey said she didn't think "in a million years" Jimmy Carter would reply to her letter

An Oxford PhD student has said it was "remarkable" that US President Jimmy Carter replied to her letter asking of his relationship with Margaret Thatcher.

Dr Emily Stacey wrote to the former president in 2015 to research her PhD thesis on the former British prime minister.

He replied that Thatcher "thought she knew more about American government than did any American", but also that she was "a good prime minister".

Carter passed away on Sunday aged 100, two years after entering into hospice care.

Emily Stacey A tall, slim blond woman, Dr Emily Stacey, holds a framed copy of the letter that was replied to by Jimmy Carter. She wears a black top and trousers and is laughing, looking down away from the camera. She is standing outside on bright green grass with a hedge a few metres behind her. Emily Stacey
Dr Stacey said receiving the reply to her letter was a "special memory"

In 2015, Dr Stacey was working on her PhD thesis at Oxford Brookes University, on Margaret Thatcher's years as leader of the opposition from 1975 to 1979.

She said she wrote to Carter to find out his impressions of her when the pair first met in May 1977, when Thatcher travelled to the US.

"The meeting they had was quite an embarrassment on her part, I think," Dr Stacey said.

"So I was keen to find out exactly what went on... and to see what he really thought of her."

Dr Stacey said she received a reply after four months, which was "pretty remarkable".

Jimmy Carter is pictured laughing with a broad smile looking slightly beyond the camera, aged 92. He is wearing a smart suit jacket and striped shirt with a dark red tie
Jimmy Carter, pictured in 2016, is the longest-living former US president

Carter wrote his reply on Dr Stacey's original letter: "An overwhelming impression was that [she] thought she knew more about American government than did any American.

"She was strong-willed and expressed her views without restraint. She was a good prime minister."

Carter then signs the letter: "Best wishes, Jimmy C."

Dr Stacey said she felt the tone of Carter's reply was diplomatic, but reflected her understanding of Carter and his team's opinion of Thatcher at the time.

"I've spoken to people who were at that meeting [in 1977]. I think the Carter administration didn't rate her and certainly didn't think she was going to be prime minister in two years' time.

"It was a very different relationship that Thatcher had with [President Ronald] Reagan."

Asked how she felt to receive the reply, Dr Stacey said: "It was definitely a special memory and it's a source that's going to be used quite a few times."

Dr Stacey added, the fact that Carter replied at all spoke volumes about the kind of man he was.

"It's been pointed out that I should have addressed him as 'Mr President'," Dr Stacey said.

"So it does take someone quite special to read a letter like that at the age of 90, and write back with something they imagine will be incredibly special to receive".

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