Richard Mentor Johnson

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**Richard Mentor Johnson**
Image:RichardJohnson.jpg
Order:	9th Vice President
Term of Office:	March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1841
Preceded by:	Martin Van Buren
Succeeded by:	John Tyler
Date of Birth	October 17, 1780
Place of Birth:	Beargrass, KY
Wife:	None
Profession:	Military, Law
Political Party:	Democrat
President:	Martin Van Buren

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, 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 External link

Childhood and Family

Johnson was born at "Beargrass", Jefferson County, Kentucky, near the present site of 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, 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 state House of Representatives from 1804-1806 and again in 1819.

Johnson was a member of the state 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 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.

External link

Senate Historical Office: Richard Mentor Johnson Biography

Preceded by: Thomas Sandford	U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District 1807–1813	Succeeded by: At-Large districts
Preceded by: Single Member districts	U.S. Representative for Kentucky's At-Large Congressional District 1813-1815	Succeeded by: Single Member districts
Preceded by: At-Large districts	U.S. Representative for 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	U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 5th Congressional District 1829–1833	Succeeded by: Robert P. Letcher
Preceded by: *(none)*	U.S. Representative for 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 3, 1841	Succeeded by: John Tyler