Richard Johnson Biography

Dromo's Den

JOHNSON, Richard Mentor (1780-1850). An American legislator and politician, Vice President of the United States in 1837-41. He was born at Bryant's Station, Ky., was educated at Transylvania University, studied law and began practice at Grand Crossings in that State. His political career began in 1805 with his election to the Lower House of the Kentucky Legislature. In 1806 be was elected to the Tenth Congress and was reëlected to the Eleventh and Twelfth, serving from 1807 until 1813. At the outbreak of the War of 1812 he returned to Kentucky, where he recruited a regiment of mounted riflemen, serving during the recesses of Congress and occupying his seat during the sessions. In 1813 he raised a second regiment, of which he became colonel and which he commanded in Gen. William Henry Harrison's Canadian campaign. At the battle of the Thames, Oct. 5, 1813, according to tradition, he shot and killed Tecumseh (q.v.). He was not a member of the Thirteenth Congress, but was returned to the House by his constituents in 1814 and served until 1818. In 1819 he was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John J. Crittenden and was later reëlected, remaining in that body until 1829. In the Senate and in the House, of which he was again a member from 1829 to 1837, he was a strong supporter of Jackson, who in 1835 designated him as his personal choice for Vice President. In the Baltimore Convention in May of that year he was placed in nomination, his principal opponent being William C. Rives (q.v.) of Virginia. Opposition to his candidacy continued throughout the campaign, and when the electoral votes were counted it was found that, although Van Buren was elected, Virginia by casting her votes for William Smith of Alabama had prevented the choice of a Vice President. The election was therefore thrown into the Senate, where Johnson was promptly elected, receiving 33 votes to 16 for Francis Granger (q.v.) of New York. Opposition to Johnson having increased, at the Baltimore Convention in May, 1840, after the President had been indorsed and renominated, a resolution was passed declaring "that the Convention deem it expedient at the present time not to choose between the individuals in nomination" for the vice presidency, all of whom, it declared, were worthy of the office. In the electoral college, however, the Democratic electors voted generally for Johnson, giving him 48 votes, L. W. Tazewell of Virginia 11, and James K. Polk 1. In 1844 Johnson entered into the Democratic canvass for the presidential nomination, but was defeated.

The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XII (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 743.