Edison, Charles

Edison, Charles

(1890–1969) cabinet member, governor; born in Llewellyn Park, N.J. (son of Thomas Alva Edison). Joining Edison Illuminating Company in 1914, he improved working conditions, becoming president in 1926. A Democrat, he cochaired the New Jersey State Recovery Board (1933–36) and as assistant navy secretary (1936–39), then secretary (1939–40), he reorganized the fleet. New Jersey's governor (1941–44), he challenged boss Frank Hague, returning to the Edison Company afterward.