J. Edgar Hoover The name J. Edgar Hoover is almost synonymous wi

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 semiretirement 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

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cy and Power The Life of J. Edgar Hoover (New York: Free Press, 1987), chaps. 37, inclusive. as well as providing the President and Congress with useful and needed information. With the advent of Cold War tensions, however, Hoover's FBI became even more of a potent force in the targeting of subversives. In the McCarthy years (roughly 19491954) Hoover remained interestingly aloof, yet continually in control of information. After the senatorial censure of anticommunist crusader Joseph McCarthy, Hoover returned to the "legitimate" governmental agency in the House UnAmerican Activities Committee to retain his control over governmental intelligence. By 1960, Hoover was considered by many to be the symbol of law and order in the United States.6 In the early 1960s, however, Hoover became obsessed with what he considered the subversive nature of the Civil Rights Movement, particularly its leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.7 In the Nixon year's, Hoover's influence and access to the presidency reached a peak and then drastically waned. By 1971, Nixon had decided that Hoover was no longer useful to the administration and Hoover was given only perfunctory duties. Hoover died on May 2, 1972, having spent the last few m

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