Richard Mentor Johnson

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Richard Mentor Johnson

9th Vice President of the United States
In office March 4, 1837 – March 4, 1841
Preceded by	Martin Van Buren
Succeeded by	John Tyler
President	Martin Van Buren

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.

1 Childhood and family
2 Education
3 Military
4 Career
5 Elected office
6 Grave and legacy
7 Reference
8 External links

[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.

Portrait of Richard Mentor Johnson

[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

Preceded by: Thomas Sandford	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 4th congressional district 1807–1813	Succeeded by: At-Large districts
Preceded by: Single Member districts	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 4th congressional district 1813-1815	Succeeded by: Single Member districts
Preceded by: At-Large districts	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 3rd congressional district 1815–1819	Succeeded by: William Brown
Preceded by: John J. Crittenden	U.S. Senator from Kentucky 1819-1829	Succeeded by: George M. Bibb
Preceded by: Robert L. McHatton	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 5th congressional district 1829–1833	Succeeded by: Robert P. Letcher
Preceded by: (none)	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 13th congressional district 1833–1837	Succeeded by: William W. Southgate
Preceded by: Martin Van Buren	Democratic Party vice presidential candidate 1836 (won), 1840 (lost)	Succeeded by: George M. Dallas
Preceded by: Martin Van Buren	Vice President of the United States March 4, 1837–March 4, 1841	Succeeded by: John Tyler