Ê

 

Robert Kennedy

1925- 1968

Attorney General

Senator Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1925, eight years after his brother, John. Both brothers went to Harvard and Bobby studied law at University of Virginia Law School. Kennedy served at sea in World War II, was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1951, serving on the Select Committee on Improper Activities (1957-59) and prosecuting several major union leaders.

Kennedy managed his brother's Presidential campaign, and was appointed Attorney General after his brother won the 1960 election. Kennedy distinguished himself by the energy and dedication he brought to the position of Attorney General, especially in issues of civil rights.

After his brother was assassinated, Kennedy became a senator from New York in 1965, and decided to run for President in 1968, late in the nomination process. On June 5, 1968, after winning the California primary election, he was shot by Sirhan Sirhan, an Arab from the West Bank. Kennedy died the next day, and Sirhan was sentenced to the gas chamber in 1969. Senator Edward Kennedy, Robert's younger brother, requested leniency, which led to Sirhan's sentence being reduced to life imprisonment.