James Reynolds
Cite this Page
"James Reynolds," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/908.
- Position
- Butler
- Years in President's House
- 1933 – circa 1945
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Presidency
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Biography
- Little is known about James Reynolds at this time beyond his service to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Reynolds first served as a butler at the Governor’s Mansion in Albany, New York for Governor Roosevelt, and then accompanied him to the White House in 1933. (1) According to Maitre d’ Alonzo Fields: “James Mingo and James Reynolds, the two butlers the Roosevelts had brought to the White House, were very disappointed over the working conditions,” including long hours and few days off. Mingo advocated for more time off for White House workers, though Reynolds “said he did not think it would do much good to talk to Mrs. Roosevelt about the long hours and inadequate time off… this was her custom and she would be hard to convince otherwise. However, Mingo was successful and workers regained a full day off. (2) While working at the White House, he lived on the Third Floor. (3) James Reynolds remained on staff throughout Roosevelt’s presidency (1933-1945). In her January 19, 1952 “My Day” column, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote: “A clipping was sent to me advising me of the recent passing of James Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds went with us from New York to Washington and was one of the White House butlers for a number of years until he found it better, on account of his health, to take other employment at the time of my husband's death. He was always a willing worker and I was very sorry to read about his death. As I do not know the addresses of his brother and sister, I want to express here my appreciation for what he did in the way of service during the years he was with us.” (4) Further information about Reynold’s life is limited.
- (1) Alonzo Fields, My 21 Years in the White House (New York: Coward McCann, Inc., 1960), 43; "Negro Employees at the White House Executive Office, and White House Garage as of March 31, 1933," White House Office Personnel, 1933-1935; Records of the White House Office of Budget and Accounting, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; “New Officers to Rule House,” Free Lance (Hollister, California), March 4, 1933;
(2) Alonzo Fields, My 21 Years in the White House (New York: Coward McCann, Inc., 1960), 107; Kevin M. Burke, Robert Heinrich, and Steven J. Niven, “The Roosevelts and African American Civil Rights Leaders,” National Park Service, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-I29-PURL-gpo234715/pdf/GOVPUB-I29-PURL-gpo234715.pdf.
(3) White House Staff Directory, Undated Folder: White House Office Personnel, 1933-1935; Records of the White House Office of Budget and Accounting, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York. - Birthplace
- Unclear from Context