American clergyman, born at Salem, MA, on the 10th of October 1822. He graduated at Harvard College in 1842 and at its Divinity School in 1843. Though he never connected himself with any religious denomination he was a Unitarian in theology, and became pastor of a Free Church in Lynn, MA, in 1853. He was active in the antislavery movement and in social reform. He also lectured and wrote on philosophy and religious subjects. In connection with Rev. Samuel Longfellow he compiled a Book of Hymns (1846), in which some of his own were included. He also published The Worship of Jesus (1868). But his special life-work was the preparation of three volumes on Oriental Religions: India (1872); China (1877); Persia (1885). These were based on a thorough study of the best authorities on the literature of those countries, Mr. Johnson not being acquainted with the Oriental languages. He died at Salem, MA, in February 1882.
