The 9th Vice President

Richard Mentor Johnson, the ninth Vice President of the United States, served under President Martin Van Buren from 1837 to 1841. His life was marked by significant contributions to American politics, a complex personal life, and a legacy that remains a subject of interest among historians. This article explores Johnson’s life, from his early years to his post-office period, shedding light on his political, military, and personal endeavors.

Born on October 17, 1780, in Beargrass, Kentucky, Richard Mentor Johnson was the fifth child of Robert and Jemima (Suggett) Johnson. His family was among the early settlers of Kentucky, moving there from Virginia. Johnson’s education began in a log cabin school, followed by attendance at Transylvania University, the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains. His education was comprehensive, preparing him for a career in law, which he began practicing in Great Crossings, Kentucky.

Johnson’s personal life was notably marked by his relationship with Julia Chinn, an enslaved African American woman. Although they were never legally married due to laws prohibiting interracial marriage, Johnson treated Chinn as his wife, and they had two daughters, Adaline and Imogene. After Chinn’s death in 1833, Johnson continued to support their daughters, ensuring they received education and social standing.

Johnson’s political career began in the Kentucky House of Representatives before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1806. His early political work was characterized by a commitment to the Jeffersonian principles of agrarianism and states’ rights.

During the War of 1812, Johnson distinguished himself as a military leader, commanding a regiment of Kentucky militia. His most notable military achievement was at the Battle of the Thames in 1813, where his troops played a pivotal role in the defeat of the British and the death of the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. This victory boosted Johnson’s popularity and helped facilitate his return to Washington as a celebrated war hero.

After the war, Johnson returned to the House of Representatives, where he served until his election to the Senate in 1819. His tenure in the Senate under President James Monroe was marked by his advocacy for the welfare of war veterans and his support for the Missouri Compromise.

In the election of 1824, Johnson was seen as a supporter of the Crawford faction but maintained a nuanced relationship with John Quincy Adams. After Adams’s victory and during his administration, Johnson’s activity in the Senate reflected his pragmatic approach to politics, balancing between his Kentucky constituency’s interests and the broader national good.

Johnson’s election to the vice presidency in 1836 came after a controversial and closely contested election. The Democratic Party was divided over his candidacy, largely due to his open relationship with Julia Chinn. Despite these controversies, he was eventually chosen as Vice President by the Senate, on February 8, 1837, serving under President Martin Van Buren.

As Vice President, Johnson presided over the Senate but became a political liability for the Van Buren administration. His personal life and the financial scandals associated with him undermined his effectiveness and popularity. His advocacy for the unpopular cause of the abolition of debt imprisonment was among the few notable aspects of his vice-presidential tenure.

After leaving office, Johnson’s political influence waned. He attempted a comeback, serving in the Kentucky House of Representatives and engaging in various business ventures, but none matched his earlier successes.

Richard Mentor Johnson passed away on November 19, 1850, in Frankfort, Kentucky. His legacy is mixed; he is remembered for his military service and his role in shaping early American politics, yet his personal life and the controversies surrounding his vice presidency have overshadowed his contributions. Johnson’s life reflects the complexities of American society in the early 19th century, marked by its achievements and its contradictions.