Richard Mentor Johnson

Richard Mentor Johnson (October 17, 1780 – November 19, 1850) was the ninth vice president of the United States and served under President Martin Van Buren. A resident of Kentucky, Johnson served as a U.S. representative and senator from Kentucky and in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Johnson started his career as a lawyer by representing many people for free. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1806. During the War of 1812, Johnson led troops against the British.

Johnson later served in the Senate before he was chosen as vice president. Johnson was elected by the Senate and not through the normal election because he did not have enough electors to win. That happened because Johnson lived with a slave named Julia Chinn, had two children with her, and treated her like his wife.

Johnson was not chosen to run with Van Buren in 1840. Johnson served in the Kentucky House of Representatives again as well as ran for a Senate seat again. In 1850, he was again elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, but he died two weeks into his term on November 19, 1850.

Category:1780 births
Category:1850 deaths
Category:United States representatives from Kentucky
Category:United States senators from Kentucky
Category:Vice presidents of the United States