Charles Edison (
1890-
1969), the son of the
famous inventor, was a prominent American businessman and statesman in the first half of the
20th century.
As president of Edison Industries and later as a public official, Edison played a significant role in American power politics. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1937-1939 and then became the Secretary of the Navy for 1939-1940. He then was elected governor of New Jersey from 1941 until 1944.
In 1944 Edison served as chairman of United China Relief and in the post-war years became involved with the Hoover Commission, forming a close friendship with Herbert Hoover.