J. Edgar Hoover

John Edgar Hoover (1895-1972) was a controversial director of the FBI. Hoover was a staunch opponent of Communism, and organized crime. Hoover served as director for 48 years until his death. He founded the FBI's 'public enemies' program, under which such criminals as John Dillinger, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were successfully caught.

Hoover worked closely with all presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt and after, keeping track of political enemies of the rpesidents as well as threats to national security. He was especially worried about the ties of Martin Luther King to Communist leaders.