Reverdy Johnson

Reverdy Johnson
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	(1796-05-21)May 21, 1796 Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Died	February 10, 1876(1876-02-10) (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	John Johnson (father)
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.