| − | '''J. Edgar Hoover''' (1895-1972) was the aggressive director of the [[FBI]] for a half century, 1924 to 1972. Besides fighting crime with modern methods, Hoover was a staunch [[Anti-Communist|opponent of Communism]], and his FBI became the chief agency for tracking down enemy [[espionage]]. | + | '''J. Edgar Hoover''' (1895-1972) was the aggressive director of the [[FBI]] and its predecessor for nearly a half century, 1924 to 1972. Besides fighting crime with modern methods, Hoover was a staunch [[Anti-Communist|opponent of Communism]], and his FBI became the chief agency for tracking down enemy [[espionage]]. |
| | Hoover was a glamorous bachelor who dated Hollywood actresses and society figures and was often seen in public. Hoover was demonized by liberals, upset by his linkage of Communism to revered liberal heroes like Martin Luther King; they falsely charged he was a cross-dresser and homosexual.<ref>As historian Stanley Coben concludes, "No persuasive evidence exists of a homosexual relationship, despite sensational gossip to the contrary." Stanley Coben, "J. Edgar Hoover," ''Journal of Social History'' v 34 #3 (2001) 703-706, quote on p. 703; in [[Project MUSE]]. Only one disreputable witness ever claimed Hoover was a cross-dresser; no friend or enemy in 50 years noticed this trait. Claire Bond Potter, "Queer Hoover: Sex, Lies, and Political History," ''Journal of the History of Sexuality'' v. 15 #3 (2006) 355-38 in [[Project MUSE]] shows the myth was invented by the left to discredit conservatives, and notes also that "the fall of Joseph McCarthy hinged on liberals' use of homosexual gossip." Systematic refutation of the lie appears in the book by a harsh critic of Hoover, Alan Theoharis, ''J. Edgar Hoover, Sex and Crime: An Historical Antidote'' (1995).</ref> | | Hoover was a glamorous bachelor who dated Hollywood actresses and society figures and was often seen in public. Hoover was demonized by liberals, upset by his linkage of Communism to revered liberal heroes like Martin Luther King; they falsely charged he was a cross-dresser and homosexual.<ref>As historian Stanley Coben concludes, "No persuasive evidence exists of a homosexual relationship, despite sensational gossip to the contrary." Stanley Coben, "J. Edgar Hoover," ''Journal of Social History'' v 34 #3 (2001) 703-706, quote on p. 703; in [[Project MUSE]]. Only one disreputable witness ever claimed Hoover was a cross-dresser; no friend or enemy in 50 years noticed this trait. Claire Bond Potter, "Queer Hoover: Sex, Lies, and Political History," ''Journal of the History of Sexuality'' v. 15 #3 (2006) 355-38 in [[Project MUSE]] shows the myth was invented by the left to discredit conservatives, and notes also that "the fall of Joseph McCarthy hinged on liberals' use of homosexual gossip." Systematic refutation of the lie appears in the book by a harsh critic of Hoover, Alan Theoharis, ''J. Edgar Hoover, Sex and Crime: An Historical Antidote'' (1995).</ref> |