T. Keith Glennan Thomas Keith Glennan ( September 8 , 1905 -- April 11 , 1995 ) was the first Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration , serving from August 19 , 1958 to January 20 , 1961 .
T. Keith Glennan Thomas Keith Glennan ( September 8 , 1905 -- April 11 , 1995 ) was an American politician . He was the first Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration , serving from August 19 , 1958 to January 20 , 1961 .