Paul B. Johnson Sr. Explained

Paul B. Johnson Sr.
Image Name:PBJohnson.jpg
Party:Democratic
Order1:46th
Title1:Governor of Mississippi
Term Start1:January 16, 1940
Term End1:December 26, 1943
Lieutenant1:Dennis Murphree
Predecessor1:Hugh L. White
Successor1:Dennis Murphree
State2:Mississippi
Term Start2:March 4, 1919
Term End2:March 3, 1923
Predecessor2:Pat Harrison
Successor2:T. Webber Wilson
Birth Name:Paul Burney Johnson 
Birth Date:March 23, 1880
Birth Place:Hillsboro, Mississippi, U.S.
Death Place:Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Profession:Lawyer
Spouse:Corinne Venable

Paul Burney Johnson Sr. (March 23, 1880December 26, 1943) was an American attorney, judge, and politician, serving as United States Representative from Mississippi, 1919–1923, and as Governor of Mississippi, 1940–1943.

Early career

From 1907 to 1908 Johnson served as a judge of the city court of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Two years later he became circuit judge of the 12th judicial district, with his tenure ending in 1919.

Congress

In 1918 Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat, serving from 1919 to 1923. During this period, he developed a friendship with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of Navy and future President of the United States, and his family. Their children played together.[1]

In 1939, Johnson won the race for Governor of Mississippi. He died in office in 1943. His son, Paul B. Johnson Jr., was serving in the Marines in the Pacific during World War II at the time. More than 20 years later, he was elected as governor in 1964. His grandson, Pete Johnson, was elected state Auditor in 1988.

Paul B. Johnson State Park, a state park in Mississippi, is named after him.

External links

Notes and References

  1. [Theodore H. White|White, Theodore H.]