Hoover, J. Edgar (1895-1972), served as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 48 years. He held the position from 1924 until his death. Hoover built the FBI into one of the world’s outstanding law-enforcement agencies. But a congressional investigation after his death raised questions about some of his actions. Critics have accused him of abusing power, failing to combat organized crime, and violating civil rights.
The FBI, which received its present name in 1935, was disorganized when Hoover became director. Hoover reformed the agency, largely by appointing people for their ability and performance. He established the world’s largest fingerprint file, a crime laboratory, and a training academy. Hoover became a celebrity in the 1930’s, when the FBI tracked down many well-known gangsters. During and after World War II (1939-1945), the FBI campaigned against Nazi and Communist activity and broke up enemy spy rings.
In 1975, congressional investigators disclosed that Hoover abused his power by gathering scandal about the political opponents of several U.S. presidents. Under Hoover, the FBI also violated the rights of critics of government policies, including civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
John Edgar Hoover was born in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 1, 1895. He graduated from the George Washington University law school in 1917 and joined the U.S. Department of Justice that same year. He died on May 2, 1972.
