Allen Welsh Dulles, a pivotal figure in the realm of espionage and international politics, held the distinction of being the first civilian Director of Central Intelligence (DCI),as well as the longest-serving director to date. During his tenure at the helm of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the early years of the Cold War, Dulles oversaw a plethora of significant events, including the 1953 Iranian coup d'état, the 1954 Guatemalan coup d'état, the development of the Lockheed U-2 aircraft program, the clandestine Project MKUltra mind control program, and the ill-fated Bay of Pigs Invasion.
His tenure as CIA director came to an abrupt end, however, as he was fired by President John F. Kennedy in the aftermath of the Bay of Pigs fiasco. Dulles later played a crucial role as a member of the Warren Commission, tasked with investigating the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Outside of his government service, Dulles maintained a successful career as a corporate lawyer and partner at the prestigious law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell. His older brother, John Foster Dulles, held the esteemed position of Secretary of State during the Eisenhower Administration and lent his name to Dulles Airport.
