James Byrnes

From Turtledove

James Byrnes
Historical Figure
Timeline:	OTL
Nationality:	United States
Religion:	Epsicopalians
Date of Birth:	1879
Date of Death:	1972
Cause of Death:	Natural Causes
Occupation:	Lawyer, Politician, Supreme Court Justice, Secretary of State
Spouse:	Maude Perkins Busch
Children:	None
Affiliations:	Democratic Party; later Republican Party
Timeline:	The Man With the Iron Heart

James Francis Byrnes (1879–1972) was an American statesman from the state of South Carolina. During his career, Byrnes served as a member of the House of Representatives (1911–1925), as a Senator (1931–1941), as Justice of the Supreme Court (1941–1942), as Secretary of State (1945–1947), and as Governor of South Carolina (1951–1955). He therefore became one of very few politicians to be active in all three branches of the federal government while also being active in state government. He was also a confidant of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was one of the most powerful men in American domestic and foreign policy in the mid-1940s.

[edit] James Byrnes in The Man With the Iron Heart

Secretary of State James Byrnes made a point of visiting Indianapolis, Indiana to promote the Truman Administration's foreign policy, including the continued occupation of Germany. His choice of the Indiana National Guard Armory was no accident--occupation opponent Diana McGraw hailed from nearby Anderson, Indiana.

Byrnes's spoke before a closed audience, and his meeting had not been announced in the papers or on the radio. McGraw and her allies protested outside, while Byrnes' speech was broadcast over loudspeakers. After the speech, Byrnes went out to speak to the protesters. One woman, claiming that Byrnes had American blood on his hands, smeared red paint on his jacket. She was arrested, and the police immediately ordered McGraw to move her people out or they'd be arrested for conspiracy.

Office
Preceded by Edward Stettinius Jr.	Secretary of State for the United States (OTL; The Man With the Iron Heart) 1945 - 1947	Succeeded by George Marshall (OTL); Incumbent (The Man With the Iron Heart)