US television viewers handed Ronald Reagan the title of "Greatest American" ahead of legendary president and national saviour Abraham Lincoln and civil rights trailblazer Martin Luther King Jr. Reagan, who died last year aged 93, headed a list of 25 contenders sorted by votes of three million viewers in a live finale to the Discovery Channel/AOL "Greatest American" campaign.
Supporters credit Reagan, dubbed 'The Great Communicator' who served as president from (1981-1989) with winning the Cold War and restoring American morale after a string of foreign policy reverses. Opponents however contend that Reagan's legacy has been boosted artificially by supporters since he left office.
Assassinated president Lincoln, who saved the American union from breaking up during the Civil War, came second, one place ahead of King. George Washington, the first US president was fourth.
Statesman, inventor and philosopher Benjamin Franklin was fifth.
Current US President George W. Bush was sixth, immediately ahead of predecessor Bill Clinton, who edged out the 'King' Elvis Presley, by one spot, despite being impeached over a sex scandal.
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