William H. Webster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William H. Webster
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Webster as FBI director
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| Chair of the Homeland Security Advisory Council | |
| In office August 10, 2005 – August 18, 2020 |
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| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Deputy | James R. Schlesinger Gary Hart William Bratton |
| Preceded by | Joseph J. Grano Jr. |
| Succeeded by | William Bratton |
| 14th Director of Central Intelligence | |
| In office May 26, 1987 – August 31, 1991 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Deputy | Robert Gates Richard James Kerr |
| Preceded by | William J. Casey |
| Succeeded by | Robert Gates |
| 3rd Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation | |
| In office February 23, 1978 – May 25, 1987 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan |
| Deputy | James B. Adams |
| Preceded by | Clarence M. Kelley |
| Succeeded by | William S. Sessions |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit | |
| In office July 18, 1973 – February 22, 1978 |
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| Appointed by | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Marion Charles Matthes |
| Succeeded by | Theodore McMillian |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri | |
| In office December 21, 1970 – July 18, 1973 |
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| Appointed by | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | John Francis Nangle |
| United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri | |
| In office January 1, 1960 – January 20, 1961 |
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| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | Harry Richards |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Lance |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Hedgcock Webster
March 6, 1924 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Drusilla Lane
(m. 1950; died 1984)Lynda Clugston
(m. 1990) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Amherst College (BA) Washington University (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–46, 1950–52 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
William Hedgcock Webster (born March 6, 1924) is an American lawyer and judge. He held very important jobs in the U.S. government. He is famous for being the only person to lead both the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). He also served as a federal judge and later advised the government on homeland security.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Webster was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri. He served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II.
After the war, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College in Massachusetts in 1947. He then got his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1949. He served in the Navy again during the Korean War.
After his military service, Webster started his career in public service. From 1960 to 1961, he was the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. This job involves representing the U.S. government in legal cases.
A Career in Law and Government
Serving as a Federal Judge
President Richard Nixon chose William Webster to be a federal judge. In 1970, he became a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. This court handles trials for federal crimes and disputes.
In 1973, President Nixon promoted him. Webster became a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts. He served as a judge until 1978.
Leading the FBI
In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed Webster to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI is a major law enforcement agency in the United States. It investigates crimes like terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime.
Even though Webster was a Republican, a Democratic president chose him for this important role. He served as the FBI Director until 1987. During his time, the Netflix show Mindhunter featured his character.
Leading the CIA
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan chose Webster to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The CIA collects information about other countries to protect U.S. national security.
Webster led the CIA until he retired from public service in 1991. He is the only person in history to have been the director of both the FBI and the CIA.
Later Public Service
After retiring, Webster continued to work in law. He also took on other important roles. In 2002, he became the first chairman of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). This board helps make sure companies report their finances honestly.
From 2005 to 2020, Webster was the chairman of the Homeland Security Advisory Council. This council advises the government on how to protect the country from threats.
In 2020, Webster and many other former Republican officials stated that they believed Joe Biden should be elected president.
Awards and Recognition
William Webster has received many honors and awards for his long service. Washington University gave him an award for his contributions to law in 1972. In 1984, he received the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Public Service.
He has also received honorary degrees from several universities. In 1991, he was given the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Security Medal. These are some of the highest awards a civilian can receive in the U.S.
Webster is a member of several legal organizations, including the American Bar Association. He also served as co-chairman of the Homeland Security Advisory Council. In 2009, he led an investigation into the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.
Personal Life
William Webster was married to Drusilla Lane for 34 years. They had three children together. After Drusilla's death in 1984, he married Lynda Clugston in 1990. They live in Washington, D.C.
In 2015, a person tried to trick the couple with a phone scam. The scammer threatened them if they didn't pay money. Because of their connections, the couple helped the FBI catch the scammer. The scammer was later sent to prison.
William Webster turned 100 years old on March 6, 2024.
Quotes
William Webster is known for some thoughtful quotes. In 2002, he said: "Security is always seen as too much until the day it is not enough." This means people might not think security is important until something bad happens.
He also stated: "Order protects liberty and liberty protects order." This highlights the balance between having rules and having freedom.
See also
In Spanish: William Webster para niños
