The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1937-10-16
A DISTINGUISHED MAN OF LETTERS

In the death of DR.. Robert Underwood Johnson at
the advanced age of IS, the nation has lost distn
guished of letters An able and forcefu writer he
was keen student of national as well international
affairs and his editorial writing always directed
toward frtherng the interests of this country and
the promotion of peace.
While he was associate editor of the Century, DR.
Johnson was intrusted, in association with Clarence
Clough Buel, with the conduct of the Century wal
series They were published in the magazine AND
later in four volumes Battles and Leaders of the
Civil War" 1t said that work added 100000 sub
scrbers to the magazine and netted than $1,000
600. General Grant one of the contributors ano
it was at the urgent suggestion of Dr. Johnson thai
the general determined to write his book, Persona
Memoirs"
Aside from his duties editor Dr. johnson con-
fined his literary work chiefly editorial and critical
articles and verse His complete work in from
1881 TO 1919 published in the latter year under
the title COLLECTED Poems Volumes of his work APP
peared periodically between those years
Among some OF MS better known poems are:
Praise to Thee o God of Freedom" "Apostrophe tc
Greece" THE Voice of webster" Hands Across the
Sea-" italian Rhapsody" Panama ODE "Goethals
of Panama ;" THE Corridors of Congress-" and many
Poems of the Great War" including Rheims" ane
"The Haunting Face depicting the portrait of
CDuQ lOSG OH Tie buSltdHld his wal poeHio al &c
Elected his strong anti-Teutonic sentiments.
One of his achievements in connection with litera-
ture of which DR.. Johnson proud and satisfied
was the enactment in 1891 of the international copy
right bill. He had been active in the movement tc
bring about 1883 and his services widely
recognized The French government made him
chevalier of the Legion of Honor the late King Hum
bert of italy conferred upon him the cross of the
Crown of Italy; Yale University made him an honor
airy master of arts, and he received pieces of silver
plate from American publishers and the English
Society of Authors.
In his periodical writings DR.. johnson actively
advocated the forest reservation system and sci
entfc national policy looking toward the preservation
of public forests While in California in 1889 he
originated the project for the Yosemite National Park
and the next year. in conjunction with John Muir
was instrumental in bringing about its creation
The conference of governors at the White House
in May 1908 convened on the invitation OF President
Theodore Roosevelt had its origin in suggestion II
letters to the president by Mr.. johnson in 1906.
His sympathies strongly with the Allies from the
outset of the World War Dr. johnson performed i'm
portant service after the entry of the United States
In September. 1917, he organized and was chairman
of the committee which conducted the work of the
American Poets Ambulances in Italy. ten-weeks
campaign resulted in the raising of $l76OOo which
was invested in 112 ambuances and 81 field hospitals
on the Piave front. He served president of the
New York committee of the italian War Relief Func
of America which raised nearly 100000
The work of the committee was recognized by the
bestowal of medals of the Italian Red Cross and the
Grappa Army special medal of the former having
been given to DR.. johnson. In January, 1919 he wa
promoted from cavalier to commentators of the Grown
of Italy and in 1921 he made grand commander
of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus by Kn&
Victor Emmanuel of Italy las mark OF personal es
TEEN and in recognition of work for good relations
between Italy and the United States" King Alder
of Belgium made him an officer in the Order of Leo
pod in recognition of his friendship for Belgium anc
King Alexander of Jugoslavia, while prince regen
Of Serbia conferred upon him the Order Of st. Sava
France added another honor in 1922 when it RAISED
him to the rank of grand officer of the Legion o
Honor.
Since the foundation of the American Academy
of Arts and Letters DR.. Johnson had been actively
Interested in it. He drafted the plan for its organ
cation became its secretary and in 1908 was elected
the 32nd member of the academy succeeding to thu
chair of John Hay.
From 1910 to 1919 Dr. Johnson was an electol
of the Hall of Fame of New York University resign
ing when he was chosen a director The university
conferred upon him the honorary degree of doctor
of letters and made him an honorary member of it
senate While in Rome in 1903 DR.. Johnson inaugu
rated the project, which accomplished in 1907
to preserve the house of the poet Keats 1t was ac
complished by subscriptions by Americans and Eng
lish the place being turned into Realistically
memorial library.
Dr. johnson was appointed by President Woodrow
Wilson as American ambassador to Rome in 1920 to
succeed Thomas Nelson Page, who resigned. After
assuming his duties he represented the United States
as an unofficial observer at the San Reno conference