Profiles in Courage

work by Kennedy

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July 13, 2026

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Profiles in Courage is a book by John F. Kennedy, published in 1956. It received the Pulitzer Prize in 1957. The work highlights eight American political leaders who defied popular opinion based on their conscience. While Kennedy is credited as the author, his assistant Theodore Sorensen was significantly involved in the research and writing. Kennedy, who served as a U.S. Congressman and Senator from Massachusetts, wrote the book during a period of recovery from back surgery. The book explores acts of political bravery and integrity in American history.1

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John F. Kennedy
Congressman and senator
…period that he worked on Profiles in Courage (1956), an account of eight great American political leaders who had defied popular opinion in matters of conscience, which was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1957. Although Kennedy was credited as the book’s author, it was later revealed that his assistant Theodore…
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…period that he worked on Profiles in Courage (1956), an account of eight great American political leaders who had defied popular opinion in matters of conscience, which was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1957. Although Kennedy was credited as the book’s author, it was later revealed that his assistant Theodore…
Read More