J. Edgar Hoover

The name J. Edgar Hoover is synonymous with the United States FBI. Hoover is recognized as the founder of the agency as it exists today, and was also director of the FBI for forty-nine years. Although his career resulted in him receiving several honors and awards, he is also the subject of criticism for his alleged abuse of power during his career. 

John Edgar Hoover was born on January 1, 1895, in Washington, DC. After earning a law degree from George Washington University in 1917, John worked with the Justice Department during World War I. His strong job performance allowed him to advance quickly in his career, and in 1924 he was appointed as the director of the Bureau of Investigation.  Because of notorious criminals like John Dillinger and Machine Gun Kelly, the powers of the Bureau of Investigation were broadened, becoming the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hoover’s positive contributions to the FBI’s operation include compiling the largest collection of fingerprints ever made, which aided in the capture and identification of criminals. He also helped with the agencies recruitment efforts, and established the FBI Laboratory, which examined and analyzed evidence.  

During his career, Hoover used his position to spy on thousands of people who he suspected were a threat to the country because of their radical or communist views. In 1956, he established the program COINTELPRO, which resulted in the FBI using illegal wiretaps, planting forged documents, and infiltrating suspicious organizations. Although these practices were originally used to disrupt suspected communist organizations, they were later used on Martin Luther King Jr. and the organization known as the Black Panthers. The program was stopped in 1971 when its details were revealed to the public, resulting in harsh criticism for both the FBI and its director. 

Hoover also allegedly used blackmail to maintain his position of power. He collected personal and potentially damaging information on people, especially politicians, who could threaten his position. Reportedly, several Presidents including Harry Truman, John F Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon all considered firing Hoover. None, however, followed through, leaving one to wonder what information may have been in Hoover’s damaging files.  Also notable during Hoover’s career was heading the FBI investigation into the death of John F Kennedy. Many criticized the quality and depth of the investigation, as well as the agency’s reluctance to explore a possible conspiracy to assassinate the President. 

J. Edgar Hoover held his position as director of the FBI until his death in 1972 at the age of seventy-seven. Despite the controversy surrounding his questionable investigation methods, he was the recipient of many honors during his career including the Order of the British Empire, the National Security Medal, and the Distinguished Service Award. The FBI building in Washington, DC is named after him, a testament to the contributions Hoover made to the organization. 

It has long been speculated that Hoover was gay. Rumors about his sexual orientation have existed since the 1940s. Although there is no solid proof, many believe he had a romantic relationship with FBI Associate Director Clyde Tolson, who was also Hoover’s heir. A 1993 book quoted a witness as saying they had observed Hoover cross-dressing.

Although Hoover’s death occurred over thirty years ago, interest in the mysterious man persists. In 2003 alone, On the Lam; Narratives of Flight in J. Edgar Hoover's America, and Official and Confidential: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover were released. These books examine not only the man and his career, but also the fascinating and tumultuous historical periods during which he served as director of the FBI, an organization that is still shrouded in secrecy to this day.

YUDDY