James F. Byrnes wartime perfomrance?

James F. Byrnes served in many governmental capacities during the war years. In the late 1930s, he was a powerful US Senator. FDR appointed him to the Supreme Court where he served for only a year (he spent most of his time dealing with getting FDR's war legislation refined.) FDR later appointed him as head of the economy (through various agencies, such as the Office of War Mobilization), calling him the 'assistant president' with a broad range of powers.

After FDR died, Truman appointed him Secretary of State. He was a hard liner demanding unconditional surrender of Japan and use of the atomic bomb.

One book, 'Sly & Able' by Robertson speaks highly of Byrnes.

I was wondering what other people thought of Brynes' performance.

I never read 'Sly and Able', but Byrnes is certainly a fascinating figure. I can't think of anyone else offhand who held as many different jobs as he did, and in such a series of national crises. Senator, Supreme Court judge, New Dealer, Secretary of State, yes... then, later, Governor of South Carolina (where he vehemently opposed desegregation and civil rights).

He might have been President, btw; he was on the short list for VP in '44.

I have the impression that he didn't wear well, though. Truman was initially delighted to work with him, but after a year or so got disillusioned, and was happy to replace him with Marshall. During his tenure as Secretary of State, foreign policy suffered somewhat because so many people were gunning for him; see Melvin Leffler's book, _A Preponderance of Power_, about the postwar years and the beginning of the Cold War.

Wartime performance? Well, FDR seems to have kept him on a fairly short leash, with good results for both of them. Certainly he did a creditable job running the wartime economy.

Trivia: during the war, blackouts and dimouts were known as 'Byrne-outs'.

Doug M.

Hello Lisa or Jeff. For a very good if not the best evaluation of Byrnes see the bk just out, 'Atchison'. He was'nt the greatest Sec. of State by anymeans. Was only in his office I believe some 10 days or so out of 18 months according to 'Acheson'. I'm not certain of the times here but Acheson who was a very bright and outspoken

foe of Stalin, had'nt a very high opinion of Byrnes who was a racist by the way as well as some other things. Irwin