Schlesinger, James R.

Schlesinger, James R. (Rodney) (1929–  ) economist, cabinet member; born in New York City. He taught economics at the University of Virginia (1955–63) and then worked at the Rand Corporation (1963–69). He formulated the Bureau of the Budget's energy policy (1969) and was the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (1971–73). After briefly directing the Central Intelligence Agency in 1973, he became secretary of defense (1973–75); he supported the 1973 bombing raids on Cambodia. As secretary of energy in the Carter administration (1977–79), he championed atomic testing. He then turned to consulting work in the fields of international finance and relations.