Nepedia
Back to Discover
Fluent Reader
📖

Robert F. Kennedy

society Maturity 11-13 death dying war conflict social justice politics Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: death_dying, war_conflict, social_justice, politics. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Robert Francis Kennedy was a famous American lawyer and politician.

RFK BrooklineMass
RFK BrooklineMass

He was born on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He grew up in a large, busy family with eight siblings. His father, Joseph Kennedy Sr., was a businessman and a politician. His mother, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, was a socialite and a philanthropist. The Kennedy family was very active in the Democratic Party.

Kennedys1939Boston
Kennedys1939Boston

Growing up, the family talked a lot about world news at dinner. This made public life feel like a natural part of family life.

Robert spent his youth learning and serving in many ways. He attended several different boarding schools during his childhood. Later, he went to Harvard University and graduated in 1948. He also earned a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1951. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy. He even served on a ship called the USS Destroyer in the Caribbean.

RFK 1948 football
RFK 1948 football

He was known to work very hard when things were difficult. This determination helped him succeed in school and in sports.

His career in politics grew alongside his famous brothers. He first helped his brother John F. Kennedy win a Senate seat in 1952. Later, he worked for a Senate committee to fight corrupt practices. He famously challenged a union leader named Jimmy Hoffa. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy chose Robert to be Attorney General. This made him one of the youngest cabinet members in history.

He was a very close advisor to his brother.

Robert used his power to fight for many important causes. As Attorney General, he fought against organized crime. He also worked on foreign policy matters involving Cuba.

President Kennedy and his brothers. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, President John... - NARA - 194238 - Restoration
President Kennedy and his brothers. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, President John... - NARA - 194238 - Restoration

After his brother died, Robert became a Senator from New York in 1964. In the Senate, he spoke out against the Vietnam War. He also helped create projects to help people living in poor areas. He worked closely with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez.

Robert Kennedy CORE rally speech2
Robert Kennedy CORE rally speech2

In 1968, Robert ran for President of the United States. He was a popular choice for many different groups of people. He spoke to young voters and people living in poverty. He even won the California primary in early June.

SWPC-RFK-C020-010 (HQ)
SWPC-RFK-C020-010 (HQ)

However, tragedy struck shortly after his big win. A man named Sirhan Sirhan shot him at the Ambassador Hotel. Robert died 25 hours later on June 6, 1968.

He is remembered today as a major figure in American history.

403 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (25)
File:RFK BrooklineMass.png
RFK BrooklineMass.png
File:Kennedys1939Boston.jpg
Kennedys1939Boston.jpg
File:RFK 1948 football.jpg
RFK 1948 football.jpg
File:Robert Kennedy, Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate's McClellan Committee, giving a briefing to the press about graft in Operating Engineers Union, Washington, D.C.png
Robert Kennedy, Chief Counsel to the U.S....
File:Cox, Hoover, RFK.jpg
Cox, Hoover, RFK.jpg
File:John F. Kennedy signs bills 1961.JPG
John F. Kennedy signs bills 1961.JPG
File:Robert Kennedy CORE rally speech2.jpg
Robert Kennedy CORE rally speech2.jpg
Photograph of White House Meeting with...
File:President with Attorney General. President Kennedy, Attorney General Kennedy. White House, Oval Office Doorway. - NARA - 194221.jpg
President with Attorney General....
File:JFK's family leaves Capitol after his funeral, 1963.jpg
JFK's family leaves Capitol after his...
File:Robert F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson - 415-10-wh64.jpg
Robert F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B....
File:Robert Kennedy at the 1964 Democratic National Convention (cropped).jpg
Robert Kennedy at the 1964 Democratic...

+ 13 more

More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.