John Edgar Hoover (January 1, 1895 – May 2, 1972)

After nearly five decades as director of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover died, leaving the powerful
government agency without the administrator who had been
largely responsible for its existence and shape.

Educated as a lawyer and a librarian, Hoover joined the
Department of Justice in 1917 and within two years had
become special assistant to Attorney General A. Mitchell
Palmer.

May 20, 1972