Reverdy Johnson

Reverdy Johnson was a prominent 19th‑century American lawyer, jurist, and statesman who served as the United States Attorney General from 1849 to 1850 under President Zachary Taylor. Born in Annapolis, Maryland, he built a distinguished legal career that included high‑profile defense work for figures such as Dred Scott, Major General Fitz John Porter, and Mary Surratt. Johnson also held long periods of service in the United States Senate (1845–1849 and 1863–1868) during which he played an active role in debates over slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. After his tenure as Attorney General, he continued to influence national policy, eventually serving as U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom from 1868 to 1869.

Early life and career

Reverdy Johnson was born on May 21, 1796, in Annapolis, Maryland. He was the son of John Johnson, a respected lawyer who served as Attorney General of Maryland between 1806 and 1811 before becoming Chancellor of the state, and Deborah Ghieselen Johnson. His family included two younger brothers: John Johnson Jr., who later became the last Chancellor of Maryland, and George Johnson.

Johnson completed his early education at St. John’s College in Annapolis, graduating in 1812. He then pursued legal studies and was admitted to the bar in 1815. In August 1814, during the War of 1812, he served as a private in an infantry detachment of the 36th Maryland Militia under Ensign William Brewer. Johnson saw action at the Battle of Bladensburg.

In 1816, Johnson was appointed Deputy Attorney General of Maryland, a position he held until 1817. The following year he relocated to Baltimore, where he entered into professional associations with prominent legal figures such as Luther Martin, William Pinkney, and Roger B. Taney—Taney who would later serve as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. That same year Johnson was named chief commissioner of insolvent debtors for Maryland.

From 1821 to 1825 Johnson served in the Maryland State Senate before returning to private legal practice for approximately twenty years. In 1842, while assisting a North Carolina congressman with preparations for a duel, Johnson suffered an accidental gunshot that blinded his left eye and eventually led to progressive vision loss in both eyes.

Johnson’s reputation as a skilled defense attorney grew during this period. He represented high‑profile clients, including the slave‑owning defendant in the landmark Dred Scott case. His legal acumen also earned him appointments to federal office; he was elected to the United States Senate as a Whig representing Maryland in 1845.

Cabinet tenure

Johnson’s appointment as United States Attorney General came in March 1849, following confirmation by the Senate. He served under President Zachary Taylor until July 1850, resigning shortly after Millard Fillmore assumed the presidency on July 9, 1850. During his brief tenure, Johnson continued to practice law privately and took an active role in a notable case involving the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. In that capacity he assisted Virginia defendants Charles W. Russell and Alexander H. H. Stuart in defending the bridge’s legality; although the plaintiffs ultimately prevailed twice on technical grounds, the bridge remained operational.

Johnson’s time as Attorney General was marked by his involvement in high‑profile defense work outside of official duties. He defended Major General Fitz John Porter during Porter's 1862 court‑martial and later represented Mary Surratt before a military tribunal following her conviction for participation in Lincoln’s assassination. These cases underscored Johnson’s continued engagement with matters of national importance even after leaving the cabinet.

Legacy

Reverdy Johnson’s career extended well beyond his service as Attorney General, encompassing significant contributions to the legal and political landscape of mid‑19th‑century America. After resigning from the cabinet, he returned to the United States Senate in 1863, serving until 1868. During this period he became a vocal advocate for Union preservation during the Civil War and later expressed strong opposition to slavery. In 1864 he publicly declared his support for immediate emancipation and endorsed the constitutional amendment that would abolish slavery.

Johnson’s legislative work included participation on the Joint Committee on Reconstruction, which drafted the Fourteenth Amendment; however, he voted against its final passage. He also engaged in debates over federal reconstruction policies, supporting a more moderate approach than that favored by Radical Republicans. In 1866 he served as a delegate to the National Union Convention and contributed to discussions surrounding provisional governance of Southern states.

Following his Senate service, Johnson was appointed United States Minister to the United Kingdom, serving from 1868 to 1869. In this diplomatic role he represented American interests abroad during a period of post‑war reconstruction and international realignment.

Johnson’s legal legacy is further reflected in his defense work for prominent figures such as Dred Scott, Fitz John Porter, and Mary Surratt—cases that remain pivotal in the study of American law and history. His career demonstrates a consistent engagement with the pressing constitutional questions of his era, from slavery to federal authority.

Reverdy Johnson passed away on February 10, 1876, leaving behind a complex legacy as a lawyer, senator, cabinet secretary, and diplomat who navigated some of the most contentious issues in United States history.