William Ruckelshaus served as the Deputy Attorney General of the United States during the Nixon administration. He is best known for his role in the Watergate scandal, where he famously resigned rather than carry out President Nixon's order to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox. This act of integrity made him a notable figure in American legal history. Ruckelshaus later became the first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after its establishment in 1970. He played a significant role in shaping environmental policy and regulations, helping to address issues such as air and water pollution during a time of growing environmental awareness in the United States.