William Johnson
Position
Associate Justice
Seat
4
Nominated By
Jefferson
Commissioned on
Monday, March 26, 1804
Sworn In
Monday, May 7, 1804
Left Office
Monday, August 4, 1834
Reason For Leaving
Death
Length of Service
30 years, 2 months, 28 days
Home
South Carolina
The Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States (Artist: unknown)
Biography
William Johnson came from humble but proud stock in South Carolina. His father was a blacksmith and revolutionary patriot who was detained during the war for independence.
Johnson was educated at Princeton where he graduated first in his class. Upon graduation, Johnson returned to South Carolina where he read law and entered the bar.
Johnson served as a Republican in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Later he was chosen by the legislature to serve on the state's highest court.
Jefferson selected Johnson as his first of three Supreme Court appointments. Johnson will best be known for his independence in resisting the iron grip of Chief Justice John Marshall with whom he served for virtually all his years on the High Court. Johnson was the Court's first great dissenter.
Which player's contribution to baseball best matches William Johnson's contribution to law?
Cite this Page
William Johnson. The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. 27 April 2013. <http://www.oyez.org/justices/william_johnson/>.
William Johnson, The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, http://www.oyez.org/justices/william_johnson/ (last visited April 27, 2013).
"William Johnson," The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, accessed April 27, 2013, http://www.oyez.org/justices/william_johnson/.