James Francis Byrnes

Byrnes, James Francis (1879–1972), U.S. statesman. Democratic representative (1911–25) and senator (1931–41) from South Carolina, he served on the U.S. Supreme Court (1941–42), and was director of World War II mobilization (1943–45). As secretary of state (1945–47), he worked to lessen tensions with the USSR. As governor of South Carolina (1951–55), he opposed racial integration.