Luther Alexander Johnson

Luther Alexander Johnson
Johnson in 1941.
Judge United States Tax Court
In office 1946–1956
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 6th district
In office March 4, 1923 – July 17, 1946
Preceded by	Rufus Hardy
Succeeded by	Olin E. Teague
District Attorney Texas 13th Judicial District
In office 1904–1910
County Attorney Navarro County
In office 1898–1902
Personal details
Born	October 29, 1875 Corsicana, Texas
Died	June 6, 1965 (aged 89) Corsicana, Texas
Resting place	Oakwood Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Turner Read
Children	Two children
Residence	Corsicana, Texas
Alma mater	Cumberland University
Profession	Attorney
Religion	Presbyterian

Luther Alexander Johnson (October 29, 1875 – June 6, 1965) was a United States Congressman from the U.S. state of Texas

Early years

Luther was born in Corsicana, Texas, where he attended the public schools. He received his L.L.B. in 1896 from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, and was admitted to the Bar association the same year.^[1] He commenced practice in Corsicana and was attorney for Central Texas Grocery Company and The Royall Coffee Company.^[1]

He was a prosecuting attorney of Navarro County from 1898 to 1902 and district attorney of the thirteenth judicial district of Texas from 1904 to 1910.

Congress

He served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1916 and as chairman of the Democratic State convention in 1920. Johnson was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-eighth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1923, until his resignation on July 17, 1946.

A confidential 1943 analysis of the House Foreign Affairs Committee by Isaiah Berlin for the British Foreign Office described Johnson as^[2]

in Congress for nearly twenty years; a well-disposed farmer and capable business man. He is a typical southern Democrat in that he has stood staunchly behind the Administration's foreign policies and has supported most New Deal measures, except on such matters as labour. While strongly independent and equally strongly American, he is likely to put his weight behind the Administration's post-war policies and is traditionally pro-British. He made one of the most eloquent speeches in support of the unamended Lend-Lease Powers Act.

In his legislative role Johnson was most famous for his part in the passage of the Radio Act of 1927, stating that

American thought and American politics will be largely at the mercy of those who operate these stations. [If] a single selfish group is permitted to ... dominate these broadcasting stations throughout the country, then woe be to those who dare to differ with them." [67 Cong. Rec. 5558 (1926).]

Later years

Johnson was appointed by President Harry S. Truman to be a judge of the United States Tax Court, holding this office from July 1946 until his retirement in September 1956. He returned to Corsicana until his death there on June 6, 1965. He was interred in Oakwood Cemetery.

Personal life

Luther Alexander Johnson married Turner Read on July 19, 1899.^[3] The couple had two children. Mr. Johnson became a ruling Elder in the Westminster Presbyterian Church (USA),^[4] where the couple had lifelong membership.

Fraternal memberships

• Kappa Sigma
• Lions Clubs International
• Odd Fellows

References

1. Fifield, James Clark (1918). The American bar, Volume 1.
2. Hachey, Thomas E. (Winter 1973–1974). "American Profiles on Capitol Hill: A Confidential Study for the British Foreign Office in 1943" (PDF). Wisconsin Magazine of History. 57 (2): 141–153. JSTOR 4634869. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-21.
3. Watkins, Melanie: Luther Alexander Johnson from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 25 June 2010. Texas State Historical Association
4. "Westminster Presbyterian Church (USA)". Westminster Presbyterian Church in Corsicana. Retrieved 25 June 2010.

External links

• Luther Johnson Congressional biography
• Luther Johnson at Find-A-Grave