Reverdy Johnson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Johnson c. 1855-1865 | |
| United States Minister to the United Kingdom | |
| In office September 14, 1868 – May 13, 1869 | |
| President | Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | Charles Adams |
| Succeeded by | John Motley |
| United States Senator from Maryland | |
| In office March 4, 1863 – July 10, 1868 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Kennedy |
| Succeeded by | William Whyte |
| In office March 4, 1845 – March 7, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | William Merrick |
| Succeeded by | David Stewart |
| 21st United States Attorney General | |
| In office March 8, 1849 – July 21, 1850 | |
| President | Zachary Taylor Millard Fillmore |
| Preceded by | Isaac Toucey |
| Succeeded by | John J. Crittenden |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 21, 1796 Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | February 10, 1876 (aged 79) Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Green Mount Cemetery |
| Political party | Whig (before 1860) Democratic (1860–1872) |
| Spouse |
Mary Mackall Bowie
(m. 1819; died 1871) |
| Children | 15 |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | John Johnson Jr. (brother) |
| Education | St. John's College, Maryland (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Reverdy Johnson (May 21, 1796 – February 10, 1876) was an American politician, statesman, and jurist from Annapolis, Maryland. He gained fame as a defense attorney, defending notables such as Sandford of the Dred Scott case, Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter at his courts-martial, and Mary Surratt, alleged conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. A former Whig, he was a strong supporter of the Union war effort. At first he opposed wartime efforts to abolish slavery until 1864, and in 1865 supported the 13th Amendment banning slavery.
Johnson served as United States Minister to the United Kingdom from 1868 to 1869.