Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy, Sr. (September 6, 1888 – November 18, 1969) was a prominent American businessman and political figure from Massachusetts, and the father of nine children including bomber pilot Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. He was a leading member of the Democratic Party and of the Irish Catholic community. He was the first head of the Securities and Exchange Commission; President Franklin D. Roosevelt justified the choice by saying "If you want to catch a thief, send a thief after him." Kennedy also served briefly as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom at the start of World War II.