Affectionately called Ted or Teddy by voters and those closest to him, he was known to the public for a booming voice and occasionally boisterous — and some notoriously reckless — behavior.
Keep reading »
VIDEO
Visit The Boston Globe's seven-part special section, full of stories, videos and never-before-seen documents and photos.
 |
The Last Lion
Read more about Ted's fall and rise in this riveting biography from The Boston Globe. |
Kennedy Features
REMEMBERING KENNEDY'S LIFE
The funeral
(David L. Ryan / Globe Staff)Obama hails Kennedy as
'a kind and tender hero'
Presidents and porters, dignitaries and dishwashers bade final farewell to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who was memorialized inside a grand church on a crowded street in a city for which he had a boundless love.
- Obama's prepared eulogy | PDF Funeral program
- Video The arrival of the senator at Mission church
- Photos The funeral | The burial | In attendance
- The notables who attended Senator Kennedy's funeral
- At the Capitol: A final goodbye from his colleagues
Burial
As night fell, burial - and revelation
Senator Kennedy’s personal appeal to the pope was read aloud at his gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery, reflecting a sense of humanity, humility, and enduring faith.
- Kennedy's letter to pope and reply | Video
- Father's care lovingly recalled | Ted Kennedy Jr.'s remarks
- Many in presidential line of succession attend funeral
- Final visit to Mission Hill church
- Powerful gather in homage, gratitude
- Video John Culver | Orrin Hatch | Caroline Kennedy
- Some questions, answers on topic of faith
Memorial service
A service to remember
With Boston's skyline darkening behind them and his flag-draped casket before them, Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s friends, relatives, and colleagues gathered for a lighthearted and moving service.
- Galleries 'Celebration of Life' at the JFK library
- Drawn by personal connection | Photos Saying goodbye
- Night and day vigil became their ‘privilege’
Reaction to Senator Kennedy's death
(Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff)A pub turns reflective
The creamy stouts went untouched on many a table. Ice dissolved in stiffer brews well before their liquor had been consumed. There was no music, no conversation, no bustle.
- Upon Arlington hill, the tributes go on | State bids final farewell
- JFK library, Mission Hill basilica see surge in visitors
- Mourned by power brokers and powerless alike
- Mourners touched by Vicki Kennedy’s grace
- A swelling tide of emotion | Video A long, last goodbye
- Kennedy’s Capitol Hill office serves as memorial
- Across US, activists hail Kennedy, recall his vast legacy
- His compassion lifted many | Gallery Lives touched by Ted
- Back home, a member of the family lost
- Kennedy family statement | Kennedy mourned near and far
- Many feel a personal loss | Hyannis Port lost a neighbor
- Galleries Mass. grieves | Front pages around the world
Senator Kennedy's legacy
(AP/Globe file photo)Beyond Camelot: His shining moments endure
Kennedy will be remembered for his legislative achievements in health care, education, civil rights, and immigration.
- The last sibling: Sister’s special tie with her brother
- Kennedy's complex legacy as a Catholic
- A resting place near his brothers
- Who, now, will bear the torch?
- Video Ted Kennedy: A legacy for the arts
- Home for a big family | Fulfilling a nation’s promise
- Back home, his clout felt in hospitals, at colleges
- A quarreling, cajoling force with presidents | Gallery
Senate field hinges on Kennedy
All eyes now are on Joseph P. Kennedy II, the former US representative, with family members and political allies expecting him to make a decision very shortly on whether to enter the Democratic primary for his uncle's seat in the Senate.
- The deal-maker In Senate, loss widens chasm of ideology
- Political Notebook Kennedy widow is urged as appointee
- For Kerry, the mission is redefined
- No shortage of potential successors | Gallery
- Renewed demand to change how seats filled
- Galvin presents two dates for vote
- Patrick backs push to appoint successor
Editorial / Opinion
Kevin Cullen
No longer a world apart
As many gathered on Mission Hill to dispatch Ted Kennedy from this world, Amine Saasaa was 2 miles away, sitting behind a desk on Jones Hill, where Ted Kennedy first entered this world.
More
- Yvonne Abraham Dukakis should fill seat
- Jeff Jacoby ‘Kennedy’ once meant ‘tax cutter’
- Bradley H. Jones Jr. Don’t change rules mid-game
- Robert Koczera 5 months too long for replacement
- Editorials Living history | Act quickly on Senate seat
- Kevin Cullen Irish roots, understanding grew as time passed
- Adrian Walker The senator’s last mission
- Ellen Goodman A survivor, a senator, and his own man
- Gordon Brown He inspired change, progress worldwide
- Globe Editorial Edward Kennedy, 1932-2009
- Kevin Cullen Agree with him or not, you had to like Ted
- Yvonne Abraham A man who knew pain eased it in others
- Alan Wolfe The future of Kennedy liberalism
- Scot Lehigh An old-time orator | Joan Vennochi A man and a myth
- Jeff Jacoby The true believer | Jackson He made rights real
- Martin F. Nolan Humor, mischief, and a sense of fun
Past Coverage
Joan Vennochi
A legend among ghosts
The political world is forced to contemplate the possibility of life without Ted Kennedy. (Boston Globe, 5/20/2008)
globe magazine archive
Kennedy unbound
After 40 years in the Senate, Kennedy transcended the family mythology to become his own man. (Globe, 1/5/03)
Ellen Goodman
It's very plain to see: Ted doesn't want it
They are playing "What's Happening to Ted?" It is, after all, the favorite game of the week. (Boston Globe, 1/24/80)
David Wilson
What will remain of the Kennedy mystique?
The possibility arises that the senior senator has squandered the Kennedy Mystique. (By David B. Wilson, Boston Globe, 12/17/79)