Share

Robert Gates biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

Best Known For

Robert Gates served as director of the CIA under George H.W. Bush before serving as secretary of defense under presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Quiz

Think you know about Biography?

Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.

Play Now

Synopsis

Born on September 25, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, Robert Gates served in the air force before joining the CIA and, later, the National Security Council. Gates was appointed head of the CIA by George H.W. Bush and became secretary of defense under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, dealing with the conflict in Iraq. He supported overturning the policy of Don't Ask,

Quotes

"[Robert Gates] is one of the nation's finest public servants."
– Barack Obama

Don't Tell before retiring in 2011.

Early Career

Born on September 25, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, Robert Michael Gates was a U.S. government official who served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1991 to 1993, and as secretary of defense (2006-2011) in the administrations of presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, respectively.

Robert Gates studied European history at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1965. While earning a master's degree from Indiana University in 1966, he was recruited by the CIA, and joined the agency full-time as a Soviet analyst after a two-year stint in the U.S. Air Force. Gates later received a doctorate (1974) in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

CIA Director

In 1974, Gates joined the staff of the National Security Council, serving under presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter until 1979, when he returned to the CIA. He rose to the post of deputy director of the agency in 1982, and President Ronald Reagan nominated him director in 1987. Gates, however, withdrew amidst questions regarding how much he knew about the Iran-Contra Affair.

Gates later served as deputy national security adviser (1989-1991) to President George H.W. Bush, and Bush nominated Gates director of the CIA again in 1991. This time, Gates had to defend himself against accusations that he had deliberately distorted intelligence information about the Soviet Union he'd presented to the Reagan Administration. The Senate confirmed Gates in a 61-31 vote, making him the youngest director in the agency's history.

His tenure ended little more than a year later, after Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush in the 1992 presidential election. Gates's memoir, From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War, was published in 1996. In 1999, Gates was named dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Three years later, he became president of the university.

Secretary of Defense

In 2006, Robert Gates was appointed secretary of defense by President George W. Bush to replace Donald Rumsfeld, who resigned after heavy Republican losses in midterm elections were interpreted as a national referendum on the Bush Administration's handling of the Iraq War. Considered the opposite of Rumsfeld, who was seen as an ideologue bent on making the Pentagon do his bidding, Gates had a reputation as a pragmatist who could assess a situation and respond accordingly. He was easily confirmed by the Senate in a 95-2 vote.

ADVERTISEMENT
40993 40993
profile id: 40993
profile name: Robert Gates
profile occupation:
related profile id: 40993
related profile name: Robert Gates
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/G/Robert-Gates-40993-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/robert-gates-40993
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups
      23 others

      Eagle Scouts

      Incorporated in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was founded with the aim of instilling ethics and morals into the lives of young boys. A Scout is a "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent," boy who, above all, strives to "be prepared" and "do his best." The highest order of these Boy Scouts are the Eagle Scouts, a rare group of young men who rise through the scouting ranks to earn 21 merit badges, serve for six months in a troop leadership position, and successfully complete a strict Eagle Scout board of review, among other requirements.

      The first Eagle Scout to complete this training was 17-year-old Arthur R. Eldred, on September 2, 1912. Since then, more than 2 million Boy Scouts have earned the coveted rank. Here are some of the most famous of the honorable young men who made it to the top of the Boy Scouts program.

      View group

      Eagle Scouts 26 people in this group

      532 others

      Famous Libras

      View group

      Famous Libras 535 people in this group

      92 others

      Famous People Named Robert

      Take a look at famous people named Robert, such as Robert De Niro, Robert Redford, and Robert Edwin Peary.

      View group

      Famous People Named Robert 95 people in this group

    See all related groups

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!