J. Edgar Hoover 1895 – 1972

Biography

J. Edgar Hoover was born on January 1, 1895, in Washington, D.C., where he would spend most of his life dedicated to law enforcement administration. Throughout his career, he became one of the most influential figures in American law enforcement, serving during a transformative period in the nation’s history. His work spanned decades of significant change in criminal investigation and federal policing practices.

Hoover remained based in his native Washington, D.C., where he conducted his professional work and built his legacy in law enforcement administration. His decades of service represented a substantial commitment to the field, during which he witnessed and participated in the evolution of American investigative techniques and federal authority.

On May 2, 1972, Hoover passed away in Washington, D.C., at the age of 77, following respiratory failure. He was laid to rest at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., reflecting his lifelong connection to the nation’s capital. His funeral and burial place served as a final tribute to his lengthy career in public service.