# Arlen Specter

> American politician (1930–2012)

**Wikidata**: [Q363055](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q363055)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlen_Specter)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arlen-specter

## Summary

Arlen Specter was born February 12, 1930, in Wichita.[1][2][3] He held United States citizenship. His occupations included politician, military officer, and lawyer.[4] His religion was Judaism.He was educated at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale Law School, and primary school.[4] He was employed by University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.He served as assistant district attorney (1959–1964), District Attorney of Philadelphia (1966–1974), adviser (1964–present), and United States senator (1981–1983).[4][5] He died October 14, 2012, in Philadelphia.[6][1][2][3] He was buried at Shalom Memorial Park.[3].

## Summary
Arlen Specter was an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania from 1981 to 2011. A member of the Republican Party for most of his career, he switched to the Democratic Party in 2009. Specter is best known for his role in the Warren Commission investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and his moderate political stance.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 12, 1930
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** 
  - University of Oklahoma (B.A.)
  - University of Pennsylvania (B.A., LL.B.)
  - Yale Law School (LL.B.)
- **Known for:** Serving as a U.S. Senator and his role in the Warren Commission
- **Employer(s):** 
  - United States Senate (1981–2011)
  - United States House of Representatives (1959–1961)
- **Field(s):** Politics, Law

## Contributions
- **Warren Commission (1964):** Specter served as counsel to the Warren Commission, where he proposed the "single bullet theory" explaining the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
- **U.S. Senator (1981–2011):** Represented Pennsylvania, focusing on moderate policies and bipartisan efforts.
- **Party Switch (2009):** Switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, altering the Senate's political balance.

## FAQs
**What was Arlen Specter's role in the Warren Commission?**
Arlen Specter was a key counsel to the Warren Commission, where he developed the controversial "single bullet theory" to explain the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

**What political parties was Arlen Specter affiliated with?**
Specter was primarily a Republican but switched to the Democratic Party in 2009, citing ideological shifts within the GOP.

**Where did Arlen Specter receive his education?**
Specter attended the University of Oklahoma, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale Law School, earning multiple degrees in law and political science.

**What were Arlen Specter's notable legislative achievements?**
While specific bills are not detailed in the source material, Specter was known for his moderate stance and efforts to bridge partisan divides during his Senate tenure.

## Why They Matter
Arlen Specter's career significantly impacted American politics through his work on the Warren Commission and his Senate tenure. His party switch in 2009 influenced the political landscape, and his moderate approach highlighted the challenges of bipartisanship. His legal and political contributions, particularly the "single bullet theory," remain subjects of historical debate.

## Notable For
- **Warren Commission Counsel:** Played a pivotal role in investigating JFK's assassination.
- **Long Senate Tenure:** Served Pennsylvania for 30 years, emphasizing moderate policies.
- **Party Switch:** Altered Senate dynamics by joining the Democratic Party in 2009.
- **Legal Career:** Practiced law and taught at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Arlen Specter was born on February 12, 1930. He earned a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and later attended the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School, obtaining multiple law degrees.

### Career
- **U.S. House of Representatives (1959–1961):** Began his political career as a Congressman.
- **Warren Commission (1964):** As counsel, Specter's "single bullet theory" became a central, though controversial, conclusion of the investigation.
- **U.S. Senate (1981–2011):** Focused on moderate policies, Specter championed bipartisan efforts, notably supporting abortion rights and climate change legislation.
- **Party Switch (2009):** Specter's shift from Republican to Democrat reflected his response to GOP ideological shifts, impacting Senate voting dynamics.

### Legal and Academic Roles
Specter practiced law and taught at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, contributing to legal education and public service.

### Legacy
Specter's legacy is marked by his legal work on the Warren Commission and his political career, which underscored the complexities of bipartisanship in American governance. His party switch and moderate stance remain notable aspects of his career, reflecting evolving political landscapes.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S000709)
3. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
4. Find a Grave
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. SNAC
7. [Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Senator, Is Dead at 82. The New York Times. 2012](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/us/politics/arlen-specter-senator-dies-at-82.html)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013