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'''J. Edgar Hoover''' (1895-1972) was the aggressive director of the [[FBI]] for 48 years until his death.  Hoover was a staunch opponent of [[Communism]], and organized crime. 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]]; 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."</ref>

'''J. Edgar Hoover''' (1895-1972) was the aggressive director of the [[FBI]] for 48 years until his death.  Hoover was a staunch opponent of [[Communism]], and organized crime.  

 

Hoover was a glamorous bachelor who dated starlets 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."</ref>

Conservatives admired Hoover for his use of modern scientific methods to stop crime and upgrade the technical skils of police departments across the nation. Hoover became an American icon as the man who created and led the FBI for a half century of depression, world war and cold war. He prospered so long through fierce determination, self confidence, close attention to details, a gift for public relations and an ability to convey his vision of [[Republicanism|American values]] regarding patriotism, civic duty, fighting corruption, and strengthening the home, school, church and traditional moral values.  

Conservatives admired Hoover for his use of modern scientific methods to stop crime and upgrade the technical skils of police departments across the nation. Hoover became an American icon as the man who created and led the FBI for a half century of depression, world war and cold war. He prospered so long through fierce determination, self confidence, close attention to details, a gift for public relations and an ability to convey his vision of [[Republicanism|American values]] regarding patriotism, civic duty, fighting corruption, and strengthening the home, school, church and traditional moral values.