William Hedgcock Webster served as a federal judge, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Webster restored confidence to both the FBI and CIA after political scandals had tainted these agencies. Webster was born March 6, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri and received his early education in Webster Groves near St. Louis. He attended Amherst College but left to serve as a naval lieutenant in World War II. After the war he returned to Amherst, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1947. Webster then returned to Missouri and entered the Washington University Law School. After graduating in 1949 he was admitted to the Missouri bar and entered private practice. With the outbreak of the Korean War, Webster was called back to the Navy for a two year tour of duty.

After his discharge from the Navy, Webster resumed his St. Louis law practice. He...