Thomas Johnson
Thomas Johnson (1732–1819) was a significant figure in early American history, known for his contributions as a lawyer, politician, and jurist. Before the American Revolution, he practiced law and served in the Maryland provincial assembly. He became the first governor of Maryland, serving from 1777 to 1779, and was active in efforts to ratify the U.S. Constitution and support George Washington’s presidential election in the 1780s. Johnson's legal career culminated in his appointment as chief judge of the Maryland general court in 1790.
In 1791, he was appointed as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by President Washington and confirmed by the Senate the following November. Johnson's tenure on the Court began in 1792, where he was notable for having to travel as a circuit judge when the Court was not in session. However, due to ill health and the challenges of travel, he resigned in 1793. Johnson's judicial opinions, including those in Hayburn's Case and Georgia v. Brailsford, played an influential role in shaping federal procedures and the practice of filing written opinions in court cases. His legacy reflects important developments in the U.S. legal system during its formative years.
Subject Terms
Thomas Johnson
Governor
- Born: November 4, 1732
- Birthplace: Calvert County, Maryland
- Died: October 26, 1819
- Place of death: Rose Hill, Maryland
Nominated by: George Washington
Significance: Although he served only briefly on the Supreme Court, Johnson participated in an important case involving the power of federal officials.
Johnson practiced law and served on the Maryland provincial assembly before the American Revolution. He served as the first governor of Maryland from 1777 to 1779. During the 1780’s, he worked to ratify the U.S. Constitution and to elect George Washington as president. In 1790 he was appointed chief judge of the Maryland general court.
On August 5, 1791, President Washington appointed Johnson as an associate justice on the Supreme Court. The Senate confirmed him on November 7 and he took office on August 6, 1792. During this period of history, each justice was required to travel throughout a particular region of the country and serve as a circuit judge when the Court as not in session. Ill health and the difficulties of travel caused Johnson to resign from the Court on January 16, 1793.
In Hayburn’s Case (1792), Johnson held the opinion that the attorney general, without the specific permission of the president, had the power to require a federal court to hear a petition. Because the Court was equally divided, however, this power was denied. This case had a major influence on later federal procedures. Johnson also participated in Georgia v. Brailsford (1792), the first case in which written opinions were filed.