John Edgar Hoover (1895-1972) was an American law enforcement officer and former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1935 until his death in 1972. As an iconic figure in the history of American law enforcement and intelligence, Hoover's name is synonymous with the FBI's rise to prominence during the 20th century. Some synonyms for John Edgar Hoover might include "FBI leader," "top cop," "G-Man," "law enforcement icon," or simply "Hoover." Despite his controversial legacy and allegations of abuse of power, Hoover's impact on American law enforcement and intelligence remains significant today.