The name J. Edgar Hoover is almost synonymous with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hoover organized and directed the FBI for so long that his presence in the organization is indomitable, even after his semi retirement and death. Hoover also rose in the inner sanctums of power within the United States government, and his influence on the presidents he ostensibly served shows just how far his power was entrenched. In particular, Hoover's dealings and influences on President John F. Kennedy bring several interesting facets to light: how could a president who despised the head of the national security agency deal with the power games and intricate dealings that Hoover had so masterfully managed for forty years previously? This paper will present a biographical overview of Hoover's political life, his influence on the presidency, and especially Hoover's dealings with John F. Kennedy.
John Edgar Hoover was born on January 1, 1895. He grew up much like anyone else in the early years of the twentieth century, but by the time he reached adolescence he already had a reputation for aggressive and confident behavior. Biographers comment that his assertiveness gave him a reputation as a fighter, but he failed to measure up to his schoolmates in two areas: romance and sports. It seems that Hoover had little time for such pursuits, preferring instead to confine his interests to reading and fraternal organizations.1
1 Athan G. Theoharis and John S. Cox, The Boss (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1988), 33. In October 1913, Hoover went to work at the Library of Congress, and by 1916 had become a member of the Masonic Lodge. This proved especially advantageous since many of his fellow Masons were members of Congress or held governmental positions. Earning a law degree in 1917, Hoover gained employment with the fledgling FBI in July of that year. Hoover proved to be an adept bureaucrat, clearly able to identify the politica...