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Higher Office(s) Served: Senator

Military Service: Navy

War(s) Served:  World War I

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, BURNET RHETT MAYBANK received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Charleston in 1919. He served in the South Carolina Naval Militia and the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War I. From 1920 to 1938 he was involved in the cotton export business. During that time, he also served as a Charleston Alderman, as Charleston's Mayor Pro Tempore, and as Charleston's Mayor. While the weight of the Great Depression was being felt, he was a member of the South Carolina State Advisory Board of the Federal administration of Public Works, and Chairman of the South Carolina Public Service Authority. He also received an LL.D. degree in 1935. During Maybank's gubernatorial administration, the Palmetto was officially adopted as the state tree and construction of the Santee-Cooper dams and power stations began. In addition, Ft. Jackson was made a permanent Army post as President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to build America's preparedness for war. Maybank resigned from the governorship after being elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until his death.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 4. Westport, CT: Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. H. New York: James T. White & Company.

bioguide.congress.gov

SCIway.net