Date of Birth: February 12, 1930
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: October 14, 2012
Biography
Arlen Specter was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Born on February 12, 1930, in Wichita, Kansas, Specter grew up in a Jewish family that moved to Russell, Kansas, when he was a child. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations, and later graduated from Yale Law School in 1956. Specter’s early career included time as a law clerk for a federal judge and practicing law privately before entering public service. He first gained public attention as an assistant counsel to the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. His work on the commission, particularly the “single bullet theory,” was both notable and controversial. In 1980, Specter was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Republican. He served five terms, making him one of the longest-serving senators in Pennsylvania’s history. Throughout his career, Specter was known for his moderate stance and willingness to cross party lines. He played a key role in various landmark legislations and was involved in high-profile Senate hearings, including the Supreme Court nominations of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Specter switched parties twice during his career, first from Democrat to Republican in the 1960s, and then from Republican to Democrat in 2009. He lost his bid for re-election in 2010 and subsequently retired from politics. Arlen Specter passed away on October 14, 2012, from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He left behind a complex legacy as a centrist willing to challenge his own party for the greater good.
5 Interesting Facts about Arlen Specter
1. Arlen Specter was a key figure in the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
2. He was the longest-serving U.S. Senator in Pennsylvania history, serving from 1981 to 2011.
3. Specter switched political parties twice, initially from Democrat to Republican and then from Republican to Democrat.
4. He played significant roles in the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas.
5. Specter was a survivor of multiple bouts of cancer, including a brain tumor and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Arlen Specter
1. “There is no better test of a man’s integrity than his behavior when he is wrong.”
2. “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis.”
3. “The American people are tired of liars and people who pretend to be something they’re not.”
4. “I’ve been embroiled in the partisan wars in Washington for more than a quarter of a century.”
5. “The Senate is a remarkable institution, and it has been a great honor to serve the people of Pennsylvania.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Arlen Specter’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Arlen Specter had two sons, Shanin Specter and Stephen Specter, with his wife, Joan Levy.
Relevant Links
1. [Arlen Specter Biography – U.S. Senate](https://www.senate.gov/senators/Arlen_Specter.htm
2. [Arlen Specter – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arlen-Specter
4. [The Warren Commission Report](https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/warren-commission-report
5. [Specter’s Party Switch – CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/28/specter.party.switch