Millionaire. Scoundrel. Public Servant. Bootlegger. Philanthropist. Swindler. Family man. Philanderer. As one of the nation’s wealthiest businessmen, a World War I development executive, a controversial diplomat, and father to one of America’s most memorable and influential families, Joseph Kennedy certainly lived a full life and created an incredible legacy for the generations of Americans following him. “Had Joseph P. Kennedy not been the patriarch of America’s first family, his story would still be worth telling. That he was only adds to its historical drama and significance. His primary goal, as a younger man, was to make so much money that his children would not have to make any and could devote their lives to public service” (Nasaw, xxii). Few people in history have had the effect Joseph P. Kennedy left on American history, politics and culture. This first generation American was able to accomplish so much in a time of relatively primitive technology, when so many American immigrants were just scraping by and the world was in turmoil. Kennedy’s remarkable rise to immense power, wealth, and fame was the product of his ambitious and industrious youth and education in segregated East Boston, his myriad business ventures, and the political presence of himself and his family.
Kennedy, born in East Boston in 1888, was the son of prominent politician and Irish-Catholic immigrant Patrick Joseph “P.J.” Kennedy, a well-known and respected ward boss among fellow Irish immigrants in the city. P.J. began his life in America as a lowly dock-worker, but slowly made his way up the political and economic ladder in the city. “Through a boyhood of improving family fortunes, young Joe had before him an example of a determined man’s ability to...
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...hn F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. JFK Presidential Library, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
Mallon, Thomas. "Ambassador in Spite of Himself." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. The New York Times, 31 Dec. 2000. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
Nasaw, David. The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy. New York: Penguin Press, 2012. Print.
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Kennedy, Richard S. http://www.anb.org/articles/16/16-00394.html; American National Biography Online Feb. 2000. Access Date: Sun Mar 18 12:31:47 2001 Copgyright © 2000 American Council of Learned Societies. Publish by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Even though Kennedy endured many hardships during his childhood, he grew up into a successful and ambitious man. He was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917 to Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Although, to the public he was known as “Jack Kennedy”. John F. Kennedy was also prone to being ill. He suffered from many illnesses such as chickenpox, measles, and whooping cough. However, this was not all that he had to endure. Before the age of three, Kennedy was diagnosed with scarlet fever, a life-threatening disease. Fortunately, he fully recovered from it and continued the routines of daily living (“John F. Kennedy”). Numerous individuals look back on someone’s life and evaluate of what importance their life was. Kennedy demonstrates that even though one may n...
John F. Kennedy, of Irish decent, was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29,1917. He entered the Navy, after graduation from Harvard in 1940. In 1946, home from World War II, Kennedy became a Democratic Congressman and in 1953, he joined the Senate. A "privileged aristocrat," his father's wealth and influence contributed largely to Kennedy's political career. 1 John's father, Joseph Kennedy was a self-made millionaire. "In Joseph's political career, he accompanied President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal, as the chairman of the new Securities and Exchange Commission. Joseph was also chairman of the Maritime Commission and from 1937- 1940, he was ambassador to Great Britain." 2 John's mother, Rose (Fitzgerald) Kennedy, was daughter to John F. Fitzgerald, Mayor of Boston. John's paternal grandfather, Patrick J. Kennedy, had served in the Massachusetts Senate.
The JFK was a telling incident demonstrating the larger cultural conflict over values and meaning in America and the competition to define national identity. The whole affair demonstrated how effective a motion picture can be as a transmitter of knowledge, history, and culture. As a result, the debate about the validity of JFK extended much further into the war-torn cultural landscape of America in the 1990s than most observers have noted. www.jfkonline.com
Morris, Joe Alex. “The Rockefellers”. Saturday evening post 223.27. (1950): 14-16. Master file premier. Web. 31. Jan. 2014.
"Life of John F. Kennedy." - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/Life-of-John-F-Kennedy.aspx?p=4 (accessed April 30, 2014).
Wolff, Tobias. “The Rich Brother.” Making Literature Matter. Ed. John Clifford and John Schilb. 2nd Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003. 391 – 403.
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address is a puissant speech that conveys a mighty theme. The steady use of fervent dialect stimulates in the crowd a sense of esteem and obligation, which makes the speech even more impressive. The structure of the diction enhances the ability for all people of the audience to connect. Beginning with an intimate remark and closing with a broad regard, marks the address as both authentic and propelling. Nevertheless, what is most effective is Kennedy’s skill to access the atmosphere of the crowd and examine the circumstances of the juncture that is primarily the cause for the prosperity of this distinguished
Born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917, John F. Kennedy was among the very wealthy families in his area. Attending many private schools while growing up made Kennedy try and do his best in everything he did. In the meantime, Kennedy’s parents were succeeding. His father, a successful banker on Wall Street, was making a fortune from the stock market after World War II. His Mother was a very beautiful debutante. Kennedy was surrounded by many influential people in his life. His grandfather served as a congressman and as the mayor of Boston. Kennedy’s parents came from Boston’s most prominent Irish Catholic Political families. With many influences in politics is was almost obvious he was bound to go into politics like the rest of his family.
"John Fitzgerald Kennedy." Dictionary of American Biography. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1981. U.S. History in Context. Web. 17 Jan...
Stanley, Thomas J., and William D Danko. The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy. Atlanta, Ga.: Longstreet Press, 1996.
Swisher, Clarice, People Who Made History: John F. Kennedy (San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc. 2000)
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, into one of the wealthiest families in the United States. Universally called "JFK," he became a millionaire at the age of 21 when his father gave him one million dollars, but politics and sports were of much more importance to him. He loved touch football, tennis, golf, sailing, and swimming. JFK attended Princeton University and Harvard, graduating from there cum laude. He attended Stanford University business school before serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a naval hero during World War 11 when his PT boat was cut in half and he helped to save the lives of his crew. Returning after the war, he was elected to Congress in 1946 and to the Senate in 1948 and was popular, well-liked, and handsome. He had a fine sense of humor and was a good orator. On September 12, l953, JFK married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. They had three children, but one, Patrick, born during Kennedy's term of office, died in infancy.