Andrew Peach

Often described as one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S.

history, he was a leading light of the so-called neocon conservatives who dominated U.S.

politics at the start of the 21st century.

He'll also be remembered for the role he played in orchestrating America's controversial war on terror.

In a statement, Mr Bush said Dick Cheney's death was a loss to the nation and he'd be remembered as one of the finest public servants of his generation.

Our former Washington correspondent Paul Adams looks back at his life.

And I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office.

On which I'm about to enter, so help me God.

On which I'm about to enter, so help me God.

Congratulations.

Richard Bruce Cheney, sworn in as vice president in January 2001.

A Washington veteran returning to the heart of power after almost a decade in business.

But a man whose lasting reputation would be forged in a battle that began just a few months later.

In some ways, Dick Cheney was an archetype of the American West, strong, silent, more interested in action than words.

He said his favourite virtue was integrity and his vision of happiness was fly-fishing on the Snake River in his home state of Wyoming.

At the age of 34, after just five years in Washington, he became the country's youngest ever presidential chief of staff, serving Gerald Ford in the White House.

He went on to represent Wyoming for a decade in the House of Representatives, before George Bush Sr.

appointed him Secretary of Defense in 1989.

Dick Cheney oversaw the US invasion of Panama and successfully fought the first of his two wars against Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

His twin associations with the Bush dynasty and Iraq would come to dominate the rest of his political career.