James Burrows Edwards was born in Hawthorne, Florida on June 24, 1927. He graduated with honors from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 1955. In addition, he was president of the student body and graduating class. He then attended Graduate Medical School (1957-58) at the University of Pennsylvania for Advanced Correlated Clinical Sciences. He was a resident of oral surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan from 1958-1960. Dr. Edwards served in the U.S. Maritime Service during World War II, from 1944-1947. Also, he served active and reserve duty in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1967. Dr. Edwards held the rank of Lieutenant Commander upon his discharge. Dr. Edwards holds membership in a number of fraternities such as: Delta Sigma Delta, Pi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa, O.K.U., Zeta Eta Chapter, Etiwan Lodge #95, A.F.M., and The Order of American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, Plato Chapter #4. Dr. Edwards served in a broad range of civic activities. For instance, he is a member of the Charleston Council of the Navy League of the United States, College of Charleston Alumni Association, Charleston Rotary Club, Hibernian Society, The Footlight Players, Inc., The Charleston Opera Company, The Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Ducks Unlimited, The American Legion, Mark W. Clark Post No. 10, Carolina Art Association, The Smithsonian Associates, the Society for the Relief of Families of Deceased and Disabled Members of the Medical Profession in the State of South Carolina, and a past member of Sertoma International. Dr. Edwards was a member on the Board of Trustees at the Charleston County Hospital, Baker Memorial Hospital, Greater Charleston YMCA, and Charleston's College Preparatory School. Also, he held the position of Director of the Coastal Boy Scouts. Inclusive to Dr. Edwards' many positions is his involvement in the political arena. For example, he was chairman of the Charleston County Republican Party (1964-1969), the First Congressional District Republican Party (1970), Subcommittee on Nuclear Energy, National Governors' Association (1978), and the Southern Governors' Conference (1978). Also, he was Delegate to National Republican Conventions (1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, and 1984), Governor of the State of South Carolina from January 1975 to January 1979, and U.S. Secretary of Energy from January 1981 to November 1982. In addition, Dr. Edwards became a member of the South Carolina State Senate in 1972 and he resigned office in 1974 to become the state's first Republican Governor since the days of Reconstruction. Dr. Edwards' membership in professional organizations is extensive, and includes: the Charleston Dental Society, Coastal District Society (past president), South Carolina Dental Association, Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Dental Association, American College of Dentists, Carolinas Section (Fellowship, 1966), American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery (founder, charter member, and past president), International Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, International College of Dentists (Fellowship, 1968), Chalmers J. Lyons Academy of Oral Surgery, British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Federation Dentaire Internationale, Henry Ford Hospital Medical Association (Charter Member), and the Charleston County Medical Society (Associate Member). Also he was Founder, Charter Member, Chairman of the Board of Directors (1971-1973) of the Oral Surgery Political Action Committee of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Edwards served in many capacities at MUSC from clinical associate in oral surgery to professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery from 1970 to 1982. He received special honors and awards including: the Tenth Thomas P. Hinman Distinguished Service Medal, Humanitati Award, and the Founders' Medal. Also, a Mount Pleasant elementary school was named after Dr. Edwards. Dr. Edwards' service and achievements includes membership on several boards, including: the Educational Foundation, AAOMS, South Carolina National Bank, the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, and the Phillips Petroleum Company. In addition to his extensive professional accomplishments, Dr. Edwards enjoys hunting, fishing, and sailing. Dr. Edwards married Ann Norris Darlington and they have two children.
From the description of James B. Edwards, DDS Papers 1982-2000. (Medical University of South Carolina Library). WorldCat record id: 216916481
