Robert Francis Kennedy, often remembered as RFK, was born into the prominent Kennedy family on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts. As the seventh of nine children to Rose and Joseph P. Kennedy, Robert grew up in a large, competitive, and intensely engaged household. He himself noted, “I was the seventh of nine children, and when you come from that far down you have to struggle to survive,” highlighting the dynamic environment that shaped his early life and ambition. While inextricably linked to his older brother, John F. Kennedy, Robert carved his own distinct path as a powerful figure in American politics, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s history. This exploration delves into the life of Robert F. Kennedy, not just as John F. Kennedy brother, but as a significant leader in his own right.
Image alt text: Senator Robert F. Kennedy delivering a passionate speech to students at San Fernando Valley State College, California, in March 1968, showcasing his engaging public speaking style as John F. Kennedy’s brother.
Robert’s education began at Milton Academy, followed by wartime service in the Navy. After his military service, he pursued higher education, earning a degree in government from Harvard University in 1948. He continued his academic journey at the University of Virginia Law School, graduating with a law degree three years later. However, Robert often credited his most formative education to the lively dinner table discussions at home. His parents instilled in their children a deep interest in history and current events, making mealtimes a vibrant forum for debate and learning. Robert Kennedy recalled, “I can hardly remember a mealtime when the conversation was not dominated by what Franklin D. Roosevelt was doing or what was happening in the world.” This upbringing fostered a keen understanding of political landscapes and social issues that would later define his career.
In 1950, Robert Kennedy married Ethel Skakel, creating a large family of eleven children. His entry into the political sphere began in 1952, managing his older brother John F. Kennedy brother’s successful campaign for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts. This experience provided Robert with invaluable insights into the mechanics of political campaigns and solidified his role as a key strategist within the Kennedy family’s political ambitions.
The following year, Robert briefly joined the staff of the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Initially involved, Robert became disillusioned with McCarthy’s controversial methods and resigned after six months. His commitment to justice and fairness led him back to the Subcommittee, this time as chief counsel for the Democratic minority. In this role, he authored a report that critically condemned McCarthy’s investigations into alleged Communists within the Army, demonstrating his early stance against political overreach and for due process. Further solidifying his reputation, Robert’s subsequent work as Chief Counsel for the Senate Rackets Committee brought him national acclaim. He spearheaded investigations into corruption within trade unions, notably exposing Teamsters Union leaders Jimmy Hoffa and David Beck, earning recognition for his tenacity and commitment to uncovering wrongdoing.
In 1960, Robert took on the pivotal role of campaign manager for John F. Kennedy brother’s presidential bid. His tireless efforts and strategic acumen were instrumental in John F. Kennedy’s successful election. Following this victory, President Kennedy appointed Robert as Attorney General, a testament to their close relationship and mutual trust. As Attorney General, Robert Kennedy distinguished himself through his diligent and effective leadership of the Department of Justice.
Image alt text: Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy in a serious discussion with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover on May 7, 1963, highlighting his influential role in the Justice Department as John F. Kennedy’s brother.
Attorney General Kennedy launched a significant campaign against organized crime, resulting in an impressive 800% increase in convictions of organized crime figures during his tenure. Beyond this, he became a passionate advocate for civil rights, dedicating himself to securing voting rights, school integration, and equal access to public accommodations for African Americans. His unwavering commitment was evident in his 1961 speech at the University of Georgia Law School, where he declared, “We will not stand by or be aloof. We will move… It is the law.” This powerful statement underscored his resolve to enforce the law and champion equality.
A defining moment in his civil rights advocacy came in September 1962 when Attorney General Kennedy dispatched U.S. Marshals and troops to Oxford, Mississippi. This decisive action enforced a federal court order to admit James Meredith, the first African American student, to the University of Mississippi. Despite the violent riots that ensued, Robert Kennedy remained firm in his commitment to desegregation. He believed deeply in the power of voting rights as the cornerstone of racial justice and collaborated closely with President Kennedy to propose the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This landmark legislation, the most comprehensive civil rights statute since Reconstruction, was passed eight months after President Kennedy’s assassination, standing as a testament to their shared vision.
Robert Kennedy’s influence extended beyond his role as Attorney General; he was President Kennedy’s closest advisor and confidant. This unique bond meant he played a crucial role in shaping critical foreign policy decisions. During the tense 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, Robert was instrumental in formulating the administration’s strategy to blockade Cuba, averting military action that could have escalated into nuclear war. He then engaged in delicate negotiations with the Soviet Union to secure the removal of the missiles, demonstrating his diplomatic skills and his commitment to peaceful resolution. His role as John F. Kennedy brother significantly amplified his influence and access within the highest levels of government.
Following President Kennedy’s tragic assassination, Robert Kennedy resigned as Attorney General. In 1964, he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate from New York. His opponent, Republican Senator Kenneth Keating, attempted to paint Kennedy as an outsider, a “carpetbagger.” Robert Kennedy countered these attacks with his characteristic wit and directness. At Columbia University, he quipped, “I have [had] really two choices over the period of the last ten months… I could have retired. [Laughter.] And I – my father has done very well and I could have lived off him. [Laughter and applause.] … I tell you frankly I don’t need this title because I [could] be called General, I understand, for the rest of my life. [Laughter and applause.] And I don’t need the money and I don’t need the office space… [Laughter.] … Frank as it is – and maybe it’s difficult to believe in the state of New York – I’d like to just be a good United States Senator. I’d like to serve.” His effective statewide campaign, bolstered by President Lyndon Johnson’s landslide victory, resulted in a decisive win in the November election.
As a Senator for New York, Robert Kennedy launched numerous impactful initiatives. He focused on assisting underprivileged children and students with disabilities and established the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation to revitalize economically distressed areas of Brooklyn. This program became a national model for community development, showcasing his commitment to addressing poverty and inequality.
These programs were part of Robert Kennedy’s broader mission to advocate for the marginalized and disenfranchised – the poor, young people, racial minorities, and Native Americans. He brought the stark realities of poverty to the forefront of American consciousness, traveling to urban ghettos, Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, and migrant worker camps. His powerful words resonated deeply: “There are children in the Mississippi Delta whose bellies are swollen with hunger… Many of them cannot go to school because they have no clothes or shoes. These conditions are not confined to rural Mississippi. They exist in dark tenements in Washington, DC, within sight of the Capitol, in Harlem, in South Side Chicago, in Watts. There are children in each of these areas who have never been to school, never seen a doctor or a dentist. There are children who have never heard conversation in their homes, never read or even seen a book.” He championed legislative solutions to incentivize private industry to invest in impoverished areas, emphasizing the importance of work and opportunity over welfare dependency.
Robert Kennedy’s commitment to human rights extended globally. He traveled extensively to Eastern Europe, Latin America, and South Africa, promoting the fundamental right of all people to participate in their government and to voice dissent without fear. He admired those who challenged injustice, stating in a 1966 speech to South African students, “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
During his Senate years, Kennedy grappled with the escalating war in Vietnam. Initially supporting the Johnson administration’s policies, he increasingly advocated for a negotiated settlement and greater emphasis on political and economic reforms within South Vietnam. As the war intensified, Senator Kennedy grew deeply concerned about the direction of the conflict. He publicly diverged from the Johnson administration in February 1966, proposing the inclusion of all parties, including the Viet Cong’s political wing, in South Vietnam’s political process. By the following year, he openly acknowledged his role in the Kennedy administration’s early policies in Southeast Asia and urged President Johnson to halt the bombing of North Vietnam and de-escalate the war. In a poignant Senate speech on Vietnam, Kennedy questioned, “Are we like the God of the Old Testament that we can decide, in Washington, DC, what cities, what towns, what hamlets in Vietnam are going to be destroyed?… Do we have to accept that?… I do not think we have to. I think we can do something about it.”
On March 16, 1968, Robert Kennedy announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. Described by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. as “an uproarious campaign, filled with enthusiasm and fun… It was also a campaign moving in its sweep and passion,” Kennedy’s run resonated deeply with a nation grappling with social divisions and the Vietnam War. He challenged complacency and sought to bridge divides across race, class, age, and political ideologies. His 1968 campaign offered hope to a nation troubled by domestic unrest and international conflict. He achieved critical primary victories in Indiana and Nebraska, drawing enthusiastic crowds nationwide.
Tragically, Robert Francis Kennedy’s life was cut short on June 5, 1968. Moments after claiming victory in the crucial California Democratic primary at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, he was fatally shot. He was 42 years old. Despite his untimely death, Robert Kennedy’s vision and ideals continue to inspire through the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial in Washington, D.C. While forever linked to the legacy of John F. Kennedy brother, Robert F. Kennedy’s own contributions to American society as a champion of justice, equality, and peace remain profoundly significant and enduring.
