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Dr. James MacDonald Edwards, son of James Lane Edwards and Florrie Alamo Harp, was born in Jackson, Georgia. A retired General Motors executive, he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commercial Science degrees at the University of Georgia. He was a member of Delta Sigma Pi, Kappa Sigma Kappa, and Gamma Delta Phi fraternities. During his lifetime he was awarded five honorary doctoral degrees including a Doctor of Science degree from Holy Trinity College, a school of the Southern Episcopal Church. During WWII Dr. Edwards’ service entailed military intelligence and psychological warfare. For many years he was a member of the Consular Corps – District of Columbia.

Dr. Edwards was highly regarded in the hereditary society world as a leader and dedicated officer. His efforts resulted in his being recognized with awards that included: the Patriot Medal, Silver Good Citizenship Medal, Bronze Good Citizenship Medal and Certificates of Appreciation from the SAR; the Gold and Silver Jefferson Davis Awards, and the Jefferson Davis Chalice with the designation “Mr. Confederacy” from the SCV; Gold and Silver Jefferson Davis Awards from the Daughters of the Confederacy; Gold and Silver Jefferson Davis Awards from the Children of the Confederacy; the Legion of Merit from the MOSB; the Honor Medal from the DAR; and a Plaque of Appreciation from First Families of Georgia, 1733-1797. He was an officer in the Gwinnett (Past President), Dekalb, and White County Historical Societies, the Federation of Genealogical Societies (Region 4 VP) as well as the Georgia Genealogical Society (Past President). Dr. Edwards was also interested in Heraldry being an Honorary Member of the Instituto Heraldico – Barcelona Spain and received a grant of Arms from the Cronista Rey de Armas - Kingdom of Spain.

Dr. Edwards achieved, during his lifetime, the distinction of being one of only five living Commanders in Chief of both the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Military Order of the Stars and Bars with SVC and MOSB Awards named in his honor.

Memberships

  • National Gavel Society (former Secretary)
  • Colonial Order of the Acorn
  • Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors
  • Sons of Confederate Veterans (former Commander in Chief)
  • Military Order of the Stars and Bars (former Commander in Chief)
  • National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Honorary Governor General)
  • First Families of Georgia, 1733-1793 (Honorary Governor General and one of the three founders of the organization).
  • Continental Society Sons of Indian Wars (Honorary Governor General)
  • National Society of Washington Family Descendants (Honorary President General)
  • Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (Past 2nd Vice President General)
  • Society of Descendants of Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter Windsor Castle
  • National Society Sons of the American Revolution (First Vice President of the Atlanta Chapter; former President of the Georgia Society; former National Trustee, National Awards Committee Chairman)
  • Aztec Club of 1847
  • Order of Lafayette (former Captain)
  • Military Order of Foreign Wars in the US
  • National Society Sons of the American Colonists
  • National Guild of St. Margaret of Scotland (Protector)
  • National Society Descendants of Early Quakers
  • British American Society of London
  • St. George’s Society of Jacksonville, Florida
  • Burns Club of Atlanta

Chivalric Orders

  • Hospitaller Order of Saint John (former Grand Marshal; Knight; and Bailiff; Recipient of the Grand Cross of Justice)

Listed In

  • Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities
  • Who’s Who in Finance and Industry
  • Who’s Who in the South and Southwest
  • Community Leaders of America
  • Personalities of the South
  • Who’s Who in the Bicentennial
  • International Biographies

Notes

Dr. Edwards was an international traveler and made many friends around the world. His friendships resulted in his becoming interested in and a member of numerous International Orders. Dr. Edwards was active in multiple charitable, civic and cultural causes in the United States which resulted in his being honored as an Honorary Admiral in the Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Nebraska Navies; a Kentucky Colonel, an Honorary Captain of the Belle of Louisville, and an Honorary Lt. Col. of the Alabama Militia.

He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church.

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