Abstract Donald Russell began his career with the Spartanburg law firm of Nichols, Wyche and Byrnes, where he became a close friend and protege of James F. Byrnes. Thanks in part to this connection, Russell held several important positions with the Roosevelt and Truman administrations, including Assistant Secretary of State for Administration. In 1952, Russell was named president of the University of South Carolina. As president, Russell guided the school from regional significance towards its...