Richard Mentor Johnson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| In office March 4, 1837 – March 4, 1841 |
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| Preceded by | Martin Van Buren |
| Succeeded by | John Tyler |
| President | Martin Van Buren |
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| Born | October 17, 1780 Beargrass, Kentucky |
| Died | November 19, 1850 Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican Party |
Richard Mentor Johnson (October 17, 1780 – November 19, 1850) was the ninth Vice President of the United States, serving in the administration of Martin Van Buren. A resident of Scott County, Kentucky, Johnson served as the Representative and Senator from Kentucky, and the Kentucky House of Representatives.
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[edit] Childhood and family
On October 17, 1780, Richard Mentor Johnson was born to parents Robert Johnson and Jemima Suggett Johnson on the Virginia Frontier at "Beargrass," Jefferson County, Kentucky, a location that is now contiguous with Louisville. As a young child, he moved with his family to Scott County, Kentucky. He never married, but, had a long-term relationship with Julia Chinn, a family slave. Together, they had two daughters, Adaline Chinn Johnson and Imogene Chinn Johnson.
His brothers James and John Telemachus and his nephew Robert Ward Johnson were all members of the House of Representatives, and, in the case of Robert Ward, a Senator as well.
[edit] Education
Johnson attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.
[edit] Military
Johnson was commissioned a Colonel of Kentucky Volunteers and commanded a regiment in engagements against the British in Upper Canada in 1813. He was credited by some with personally killing the Shawnee leader Tecumseh during the Battle of the Thames; despite the doubtful accuracy of this claim ("Rumpsey Dumpsey, He Shot Tecumseh"), Johnson would later use it to good effect in his political career.
[edit] Career
He was admitted to the Kentucky bar in 1802.
[edit] Elected office
[edit] Kentucky House of Representatives
Johnson was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1804-1806 and again in 1819.
Johnson was again elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1850, but he died in Frankfort, Kentucky soon after taking his seat.
[edit] United States House of Representatives
Johnson was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Tenth and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1807–March 4, 1819). He was chairman of the Committee on Claims and the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of War.
After serving in the U.S. Senate, he returned to the House, elected to the 21st Congress and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1829–March 4, 1837) He was chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads and the Committee on Military Affairs.
[edit] United States Senate
Johnson was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John J. Crittenden, and was reelected and served from December 10, 1819 to March 4, 1829. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1829.
[edit] Vice-President
Johnson was selected as Martin Van Buren's Vice President by the Senate on February 8, 1837, after losing the support of some of his Presidential electors due to his relationship with Julia Chinn, a family former slave. He served as Vice President from March 4, 1837, to March 4, 1841.
[edit] Grave and legacy
Johnson is interred in the Frankfort Cemetery, in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Named for Johnson are counties in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Nebraska.
Johnson County, Illinois was named for Johnson in 1812, even before he claimed to have killed Tecumseh.
[edit] Reference
- Hatfield, M. O. (1997). Vice Presidents of the United States, 1789-1993. Senate Historical Office. Washington: United States Government Printing Office. [1]
[edit] External links
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Categories: 1780 births | 1850 deaths | Kentucky State Senators | Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives | Democratic Party (United States) vice presidential nominees | Members of the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky | United States Senators from Kentucky | Vice Presidents of the United States
