The Forgotten Memoir of John Knox: A Year in the Life of a Supreme Court Clerk in FDR's Washington

About this book

"My name will survive as long as man survives because I am writing the greatest diary that has ever been written. I intend to surpass Pepys as a diarist." When John Frush Knox (1907-1997) wrote these words he was in the middle of law school and his attempt at surpassing Pepyspart scrapbook part social commentary and part recollectionhad already reached 750 pages. His efforts as a chronicler might have landed in a family attic had he not secured an eminent position after graduation as law clerk to Justice James C. McReynoldsarguably one of the most disagreeable justices to sit on the Supreme Courtduring the tumultuous year when President Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to "pack" the Court with justices who would approve his New Deal agenda. Knoxs memoir instead emerges as a record of one of the most fascinating periods in American history. The Forgotten Memoir of John Knoxedited by Dennis J. Hutchinson and David J. Garrowoffers a candid at times nave insiders view of the showdown between Roosevelt and the Court that took place in 1937. At the same time it marvelously portrays a Washington culture now long gone. Although the new Supreme Court building had been open for a year by the time Knox joined McReynolds staff most of the justices continued to work from their homes each supported by a small staff. Knox the epitome of the overzealous and officious young man after landing what he believes to be a dream position continually fears for his job under the notoriously rude (and nakedly racist) justice. But he soon develops close relationships with the justices two black servants: Harry Parker the messenger who does "everything but breathe" for the justice and Mary Diggs the maid and cook. Together they plot and sidestep around their employers idiosyncrasies to keep the household running while history is made in the Court. A substantial foreword by Dennis Hutchinson and David Garrow sets the stage and a gallery of period photos of Knox McReynolds and other figures of the time gives life to this engaging account which like no other recaptures life in Washington D.C. when it was still a genteel southern town.