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 Collection
Identifier: MC 1215

Brendan T. Byrne Papers

Dates

  • 1928-2006 (bulk 1952-1982)

Scope and Content Note

The personal papers of Brendan T. Byrne, comprising approximately 18 cubic feet of documentation, span from 1928 to 2006, the bulk of which covers from 1952 until 1982. The papers document, at least in part, nearly every period of Byrne's adult life, including his college and postgraduate educations, his service in the military, his law career, his service on various corporate boards and his service in government as gubernatorial secretary, prosecutor, public utility commissioner, judge and governor.

The papers vary in physical format. Among the paper document types present are campaign literature, financial documents and disclosures, magazines, personal and official correspondence and memoranda, legal documents, position papers, press clippings and press releases, programs, reports, schedules, speeches and notes and writings in the form of draft and published articles. Also included with the more traditional formats are editorial cartoons and other types of artwork, oversize certificates and proclamations, plaques, and reels of audio tape and motion pictures, as well as photographs.

The Brendan Byrne papers are organized into sixteen series falling into two basic categories: series based on Byrne's office or occupation and series based on file type or format.

The series that are based upon occupation generally follow a sequential order. FILES AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO GOVERNOR MEYNER, 1956-1959, offers partial documentation for Byrne's role as Assistant Counsel to Governor Robert B. Meyner, and then as the governor's Executive Secretary, a position that required Byrne to take cabinet minutes, keep the governor's schedule and appear on the governor's behalf. FILES AS ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR, 1959-1968, while containing one court transcript, is comprised largely of memoranda, focusing on individual investigations and points of law, and correspondence, which is generally of a more personal nature. CORRESPONDENCE WHILE A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE, 1970-1973, is a small series, primarily consisting of letters congratulating Byrne on his appointment as judge and RSVPs for the swearing-in ceremony. FILES AS GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY, 1973-1982, consists of numerous document types, including correspondence, memoranda, bills, financial documents, polling results, schedules and legal documents. Items of interest include documents relating to the Sports and Exposition Authority and the battle to secure a National Hockey League franchise for the Meadowlands. Also noteworthy is the relative lack of documentation on such hot-button issues of the Byrne governorship as the income tax and the Pinelands. CAMPAIGN FILES, 1973 and 1977, consisting of four sub-series, is one of two occupation-based series to span multiple time periods, covering both the primary and general elections of Byrne's two gubernatorial campaigns. The series consists largely of Byrne's position papers and schedules, as well as campaign literature for Byrne and several of his opponents. FILES AS A NEW JERSEY LAWYER, 1952-1986, also spans multiple time periods in Byrne's career, sometimes overlapping with certain of Byrne's public offices, including his terms as executive secretary, prosecutor and public utility commissioner. The series offers limited documentation of Byrne's service with three law firms: McGlynn, Weintraub & Stein prior to 1954, Teltser, Byrne and Greenberg of East Orange in the 1960s until 1968, and Carella, Byrne, Bain & Gilfillan of Roseland after leaving the statehouse in 1982.

The series that are based on file type or physical format tend to span Byrne's entire career. The largest series in the collection, PHOTOGRAPHS, 1928-2000, is broken into eleven sub-series by event type, such as work functions, dinners, charity events, etc. While consisting mostly of publicity stills, the series also contains portraits and personal photographs of Byrne, as well as images of Byrne at sporting events and with various celebrities. PRESS CLIPPINGS, 1944-2005, is broken into two sub-series, one for newspapers and one for magazines. The clippings, covering a wide range of topics, help detail events and topics that are underrepresented elsewhere in the collection, such as the Newark riot trials in July and September-October of 1967, nullification of New Jersey's death penalty in October of 1971, and the opening of the first Atlantic City Casino in 1978. SUBJECT FILES AND PERSONAL MISCELLANY, 1941-2006, also sheds light on topics not represented in other series, such as Byrne's military service, his education, his leadership role with Intercontinental Life Insurance Company and his tenure as public utility commissioner. This series also highlights underrepresented topics from Byrne's tenure as governor, including the protection of the Pinelands, through material from later years. SPEECHES, 1956-1982, while spanning nearly thirty years, most directly complements the files on Byrne's years as prosecutor and his two gubernatorial campaigns. PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1944-2003, consists mainly of invitations and congratulatory and thank-you letters received by Byrne, with occasional responses. EVENT PROGRAMS, 1942-2006, mostly for events at which Byrne was guest of honor, host or speaker, illustrates Byrne's involvement in professional associations, such as the National District Attorneys' Association, as well as non-professional organizations, such as the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. EDITORIAL CARTOONS AND ARTWORK, 1973-2002, features political cartoons, mostly by the hand of Bil Canfield, as well as portraits of Byrne. CERTIFICATES AND PROCLAMATIONS, 1951-2000, and PLAQUES, 1974-2004, together contain items awarded to Byrne, including athletic and military awards, diplomas and honorary degrees and certificates of appointment to some of the various offices he held. AUDIOVISUAL RECORDINGS, 1960-1974, consists of home-recorded, reel-to-reel audio tapes and motion picture reels of network news programs featuring or focusing on Byrne.

The strength of the Byrne papers, rather than their depth in any one area, is their breadth in representing aspects of Byrne's activities and New Jersey events in many areas. One drawback to such breadth is a conspicuous lack of certain types of papers. Not included in any abundance are outgoing letters, and there are no wartime letters written by Byrne. Not surprisingly, case materials from Byrne's career in the legal system as a private attorney and prosecutor are, with minor exceptions, not represented here. Also lacking is a set of his judicial opinions. Finally, the relative lack of documentation from Byrne's terms as governor is the result of a New Jersey state law requiring that the official records of the governor be held at the State Archives in Trenton.

Among the correspondents represented throughout the collection by a total of three or more letters are Secretary of Agriculture Philip Alampi, Archibald S. Alexander, Princeton University President William G. Bowen, Governor William T. Cahill, President Jimmy Carter, Governor Richard J. Hughes, Ethel Kennedy, Governor Robert B. Meyner, Vice President Walter F. Mondale, George M. Steinbrenner III, Harold R. Teltser, White House Chief of Staff Jack Watson, and Justice Joseph Weintraub.

Extent

18 Cubic Feet (37 manuscript boxes, 6 oversize boxes, 5 phase boxes and 1 record center carton)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions.

Abstract

Papers reflecting all periods of Brendan T. Byrne's career. Present are press clippings, 1944-2005, from newspapers and periodicals; selected files as a New Jersey lawyer, 1952-1986; miscellaneous files as Assistant Counsel and as Executive Secretary to New Jersey Governor Richard B. Meyner, 1956-1959; selected files as Essex County Prosecutor, 1949 and 1959-1968; personal correspondence while a superior court judge, 1970 1973; gubernatorial campaign files, 1973 and 1977, relating to both the primary and general elections; selected files as Governor of New Jersey, 1973-1982; speeches, 1956-1982; programs, 1942-2006, chiefly for events Byrne attended (often as a speaker); personal correspondence, 1944-2003, largely comprised of letters received from political figures and celebrities; subject files and personal miscellany, 1941-2006, including copies of Byrne's writings; photographs, 1928-2000, extensively documenting Byrne's life, especially his activities as a public official and his participation in charitable events; several audiovisual recordings, 1959-1974 and undated; certificates and proclamations, 1951-2000, relating to Byrne (not items which he signed); editorial cartoons and artwork, 1973-2002, chiefly depicting Byrne; and several plaques, 1974-2004.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical Chronology

1924
Born April 1 in West Orange, New Jersey, the fourth of five children of Francis A. Byrne (1888-1973) and his spouse Genevieve (Brennan) Byrne. Francis, a long-time local politician, served as West Orange Tax Assessor, chair of the West Orange Zoning Board of Adjustment, West Orange Town Commissioner and member of the Essex County Tax Board.
1942
Graduates from West Orange High School, where he served as president of the debating club and senior class president.
1942
Enrolls at Seton Hall University.
1943
In March, leaves Seton Hall to enlist in the Army Air Corp. His service as a B-17 navigator in the European Theater in World War II earns him the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
1945
In September, is honorably discharged from military service, having attained the rank of lieutenant with the 414th Bomb Squadron of the 15th Air Force. He subsequently serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
1945
Enrolls at Princeton University under the G.I. Bill.
1949
Graduates from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs with an A.B. upon completion of the thesis Proportional Representation in Municipal Government, although his coursework is actually completed by the fall of 1948.
1950
Graduates from Harvard Law School with L.L.B. and begins clerking for Judge Joseph Weintraub.
1951
In February, passes the New Jersey bar exam.
1951
Begins law career at the firm of McGlynn, Weintraub and Stein. Byrne would also work as an associate of Newark lawyer John W. McGeehan.
1951
Begins serving on the West Orange Planning Board and continues as a member until January 1, 1958.
1953
On June 27 marries Jean Featherly, a school teacher from West Orange, New Jersey.
1954
Jean Byrne gives birth to son Brendan T. "Tom" Byrne, Jr. The Byrnes eventually have six more children, Susan, Nancy, Timothy, Mary Anne, Barbara and William.
1955
Is appointed Deputy Attorney General to act as special prosecutor in Passaic County, New Jersey.
1955
In October, is appointed Assistant Counsel to (Democratic) Governor Robert B. Meyner.
1956
In June, is appointed Acting Executive Secretary to Governor Robert B. Meyner.
1959
On February 16, is appointed Deputy Attorney General to serve as prosecutor in Essex County.
1959
In July, is appointed to full term as Essex County Prosecutor by Governor Robert B. Meyner.
1964
Is appointed to second term as Essex County Prosecutor by (Democratic) Governor Richard J. Hughes, beginning September 2. During second term as prosecutor, serves as president of the County Prosecutor's Association of New Jersey and vice president of the National District Attorneys Association.
1964
In December, begins program of filming drunk drivers for use in prosecution.
1965
In July, helps found Intercontinental Life Insurance Company. Serves as chairman of the board until his resignation in 1970.
1967
On September 25, 200 cases, out of an original 801 regarding the July Newark riots, are brought to trial.
1968
In January, is appointed President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners by Governor Richard J. Hughes.
1968
In February, is appointed to the Executive Commission on Ethical Standards, on which he serves until 1970.
1968
Newspaper reports quoting a transcript of a mob wiretap lead to Byrne's reputation as the "Man who could not be bought."
1970
On December 8, is nominated for position as Superior Court Judge in Essex County by (Republican) Governor William T. Cahill.
1970
Following the nomination, resigns all posts at the Intercontinental Life Insurance Company as well as his position as director at the Broad National Bank (Newark) and his partnership in the law firm of Teltser, Byrne and Greenberg (East Orange).
1970
On December 30, is sworn in as Superior Court Judge.
1971
On May 2, is the keynote speaker at a community rally organized following the April 18 bombing of the West Orange Jewish Center.
1971
In October, rules that current procedures for administering the death penalty in New Jersey are unconstitutional. (A new death penalty law would not be enacted until after Byrne's term as Governor ended in 1982.)
1972
In July, is appointed Assignment Judge for New Jersey's Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties.
1972
New Jersey Supreme Court mandates a "thorough and efficient" education, known as the Robinson-Cahill mandate, effectively declaring the need for an income tax for adequate and equitable public school funding.
1973
On April 24, tenders resignation as Superior Court Judge and enters the Democratic Gubernatorial primary.
1973
On June 5, defeats Ralph DeRose and Anne Klein in the Democratic primary, winning the party's nomination for Governor.
1973
On November 6, is elected Governor of New Jersey, defeating United States Representative Charles Sandman by 721,000 votes, the largest plurality in the state's history.
1974
On January 15, is inaugurated as the 54th Governor of New Jersey.
1974
In February, imposes mandatory "odd-even" gas rationing in response to the gas crisis, allowing filling based on the last digit of a car's license plate.
1974
In March, the Byrne family moves into Morven, the Governor's mansion in Princeton, leaving Byrne's life-long home of West Orange.
1974
On May 2, the General Assembly sends to Governor Byrne for his signature a measure creating the Delaware and Raritan State Park.
1974
On May 6, signs campaign finance law providing for the public financing of gubernatorial races in the general election.
1974
On June 3, receives honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Rutgers University, an honor accorded each incoming governor by the State University. After previously receiving an honorary degree from Seton Hall University (May 18, 1974), he receives additional honorary degrees from other New Jersey institutions, including Seton Hall University, William Paterson College, Bloomfield College and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
1974
Creates new cabinet level post of Public Advocate.
1974
Establishes Economic Development Authority to provide businesses with low interest loans.
1974
Begins service as ex-officio trustee at Princeton University and serves until 1982.
1975
Signs the Open Public Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law.
1975
Signs the Public Education Act, mandating statewide student proficiency standards.
1976
In May, joins other U.S. Governors on a trip to Ireland in celebration of the United States' Bicentennial.
1976
On July 4, several schools close as per state Supreme Court mandate. As a consequence, signs New Jersey's first income tax into law later that month, after earlier incarnations had been rejected by the State Legislature beginning in July 1974. Tax reforms for this year also include the inception of the Homestead Rebate Program, offering property tax relief to homeowners.
1976
On September 1, Meadowlands Racetrack holds its inaugural harness race.
1976
On October 10, the New York Giants play their inaugural game at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands against the Dallas Cowboys.
1976
In November, a state constitutional amendment passes allowing for casino gambling.
1977
By April, is being referred to in newspaper and magazine articles as "One Term Byrne," due to the unpopularity of initiatives such as the income tax.
1977
On June 2, signs the Casino Control Act, officially legalizing casino gambling in Atlantic City.
1977
On June 7, defeats nine opponents, including Representative James J. Florio, to win the Democratic nomination for Governor.
1977
On November 8, defeats Republican State Senator Raymond H. Bateman by 300,000 votes, winning re-election as Governor of New Jersey.
1978
On January 17, is inaugurated as Governor of New Jersey for a second term.
1978
On March 3, pocket vetoes a bill to reinstate the death penalty in New Jersey. Several months later, vetoes a similar bill.
1978
In April, Byrne and his family embark on a publicly-criticized, ten-day vacation and business trip to Asia.
1978
In October, embarks on a week-long vacation and trade mission to Israel.
1979
In February, imposes an eighteen-month building moratorium in the Pinelands by executive order, thereby compelling the legislature to act on the issue.
1979
On June 28, signs the Pinelands Preservation Act, restricting development across nearly one-fifth of New Jersey's total area.
1979
In July, along with other governors, attends summit at Camp David on domestic and energy policies. Photographs taken at the summit by Byrne later appear in Newsweek.
1979
On September 1, a new penal code, which legalizes, among other things, homosexuality and social gambling, goes into effect, after nearly ten years of study and debate in the legislature.
1979
Extends public financing of gubernatorial elections to the primaries.
1979
Signs Public Transportation Act, forming New Jersey Transit Corporation.
1980
In the spring, hosts a twelve-week seminar at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, entitled Workshop in New Jersey Policy and Politics.
1981
In June, attends the World Trade Centers General Assembly in Moscow.
1981
In July, the Meadowlands Arena opens, bearing the name Brendan Byrne Arena.
1981
In September, embarks on an investment mission to Italy and France.
1982
In January, steps down as Governor of New Jersey following the completion of his second full term, and moves from Morven into a private residence in Princeton.
1982
Joins the Roseland, New Jersey, law firm of Carella, Bain, Gilfillan and Rhodes as a partner where he represents, among others, Carvel Ice Cream. The firm later changes its name to Carella, Byrne, Bain and Gilfillan.
1982
Becomes a director of the Elizabethtown Water Company and serves on its board until 2000.
1985
In November, is appointed Chair of the Council on New Jersey Affairs, a position he holds until 1989.
1988
On September 7, is elected to the Board of Directors of Ingersoll-Rand Co.
1989
In January, begins serving as a commissioner of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for a four-year term ending in January 1993.
1993
Obtains divorce from Jean Byrne.
1994
In August, marries public relations executive Ruth Zinn.
1994
Becomes a director of the Mack-Cali Realty Corporation.
1994
Brendan T. Byrne Jr. is elected New Jersey Democratic Party Chair.
1996
In January, the Brendan Byrne Arena is renamed the Continental Airlines Arena as part of a corporate sponsorship deal.
2002
On July 24, Lebanon State Forest, located in the Pinelands, is renamed Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.
2018
Dies January 4 at his home in Livingston, New Jersey.
Additional Information:
Following his tenure as Governor, Byrne also served at one time or another on the boards of Prudential Insurance Company of America, New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, Jamesway Corporation and Chelsea Property Group, Inc.

Arrangement Note

Most of the arrangement of the Byrne papers was necessarily imposed during processing, as a limited amount of like materials were found together. As a result, most of the folder headings were also supplied during processing, with only a few representing headings used by Byrne himself.

Several items exhibiting mold growth underwent a remediation process and were returned to the collection. Any mold stains encountered in the collection are merely the remnants of the remediation process. Several other items exhibiting extensive and severely damaging mold growth, deemed of little artifactual value, were replaced by photocopies on acid-free paper.

While all newspaper clippings have been replaced by photocopies on acid-free paper, several items of campaign literature printed on newsprint have been retained in their original format. However, a duplicate copy of said items has been made for general use, denoted on the folders and in the container list by the annotation "Patron Copy."

Three publications, originally housed within the collection, have been separated from it, with all relevant passages from said publications photocopied and retained as part of the collection. These items include: 1) The Tribune of West Orange, New Jersey, Vol. 2, Number 35 (June 6, 1975) which has been transferred to the uncataloged periodicals in the Sinclair New Jersey Collection at Special Collections and University Archives, with a relevant photocopy retained in PRESS CLIPPINGS/Newspapers, 1953-1958; 2) On and Off The Record by Patricia Sherlock (Bergen Record Corporation, 1995), a copy of which is already housed in the Sinclair New Jersey Collection (call number PN4899.H323S54), with relevant passages retained in SUBJECT FILES AND PERSONAL MISCELLANY, Mentions [of Byrne] in Books - Miscellaneous, 1995 and undated; and 3) Faces 1973, a catalog of sketched portraits by A. Domanski (Intelman Books, 1974), which has been transferred to Rutgers University's Art Library, with a photocopy of a Byrne portrait retained in EDITORIAL CARTOONS AND ARTWORK/Artwork, Portraits - Artists D-K.

One additional item, a hand made photograph album, presented to Governor Byrne on March 18, 1975, and inscribed "with appreciation, from the Byelorussian-American Association in New Jersey on the 57th Anniversary of Proclamation of Independence of Byelorussia," has been transferred to the Museum Objects Collection at Special Collections and University Archives.

Related Collections

Brendan Byrne papers, 1960-1982 (bulk 1973-1977) Mss 0007 at the The Monsignor Field Archives & Special Collection Center, Seton Hall University. This collection consist primarily of materials related to Byrne's gubernatorial campaigns in 1973 and 1977, along with as materials documenting his time as governor and activities with the Democratic party.Seton Hall's campaign files, while analogous in many ways, such as document types, to Rutgers' holdings, are more voluminous and contain more research files on Byrne's opponents, as well as more evidence of the day-to-day operations of a campaign through papers such as expenditure files and earnings records.

Governor Brendan T. Byrne (served 1974-1982) - Counsel's Office, one of two large Byrne-related collections held by the State Archives in Trenton, is subdivided into forty-seven series by creator, i.e., individual counsel. A limited number of series also exist based on format, such as files relating to bills, minutes, executive orders and financial disclosures.

Governor Brendan T. Byrne (served 1974-1982) - General Filings and Non-Counsel Staff, at the New Jersey State Archives. the other of two Byrne collections at the State Archives in Trenton, is subdivided in a manner similar to its counterpart, with forty-five series, mostly organized by assistant. Also present are series for photographs, "miscellaneous files," "subject files" and "general files." These latter series, arranged first by department and thereafter by topic or by person, include correspondence and memoranda, proclamations, resolutions and reports. Also included are files based on format, such as proclamations and bills. Files on individual people, such as cabinet members and other statewide officials, consist mostly of correspondence and memoranda.

Special Collections and University Archives' Museum Objects Collection houses two pens used by Byrne to sign legislation during his tenure as governor. The first, Lot 60A, was used to sign a provision of the state income tax that allows an exemption for dependants attending college. The second, Lot 60B, created the Division of Women within the state's Department of Community Affairs. These pens were acquired separately, and not with Byrne's papers.

Special Collections and University Archives' New Jersey Political Broadsides is a chronological collection of broadsides and campaign literature for various New Jersey political candidates. Broadsides related to Byrne and his opponents, which were acquired separately from the Byrne papers, can be found in the files for 1973 and 1977.

Title
Inventory to the Papers of Brendan T. Byrne
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
David A. D'Onofrio
Date
July 2006
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.