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.
- 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.
Part of the New Brunswick Special Collections Repository