Richard Mentor Johnson

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.

Childhood and family

Johnson was born at "Beargrass," Jefferson County, Kentucky, 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.

Education

Johnson attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

Military

Johnson was commissioned a Colonel of Kentucky Volunteers and commanded a regiment in engagements against the British in Lower 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.

Career

He was admitted to the Kentucky bar in 1802.

Elected office

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.

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 3, 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 3, 1837) He was chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads and the Committee on Military Affairs.

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 3, 1829. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1829.

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 3, 1841.

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.

External links

Richard M. Johnson | Richard Mentor Johnson | Richard Mentor Johnson | リチャード・M・ジョンソン

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