Robert B. Meyner
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Robert Baumle Meyner (July 3, 1908 - May 27, 1990) of Phillipsburg, New Jersey was the Democratic Governor of the U.S. state of New Jersey from 1954 to 1962. Before being elected Governor, Meyner represented Warren County in the New Jersey State Senate from 1948 to 1951.
Robert Meyner was born in Easton, Pennsylvania to a silk worker of German ancestry. At the age of eight, the family moved across the state border to Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Meyner graduated from High School there in 1926, and entered Lafayette College, where he majored in government and law. After his graduation, he moved on to Columbia University Law School. He first found employment as a law clerk in Union City.
Meyner returned to Phillipsburg in 1936, where he quickly became a well known trial lawyer. His prominent involvement in civic and social affairs, as well as the recognition it generated, helped him in 1941 during his first bid for elected office. He lost a campaign for a seat in the New Jersey Senate by only fifty votes.
During World War II, Meyner served as an officer in the navy, and he was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After a failed run for federal office, he was elected to the state senate in 1947. Though he was the Senate Minority Leader in 1950, Meyner lost his seat in the election of 1952.
The ailing New Jersey Democratic Party chose him as its gubernatorial candidate in 1953, and he achieved a surprise victory, boosted by a minor scandal surrounding his opponent, Paul L. Troast. Meyner's first term was marked by strong support for state education and a general restructuring of the government. He defeated Malcolm Forbes handily in 1957.
While Governor, Meyner uncovered Employment Security Division Director (and former governor)Harold Hoffman's massive corruption scam, and suspended Hoffman on March 18, 1954.
Meyner was cremated and his ashes are at Phillipsburg Cemetery.
| Preceded by: Alfred E. Driscoll |
Governors of New Jersey | Succeeded by: Richard J. Hughes |