Thomas F. Johnson
Encyclopedia
Thomas Francis Johnson (June 26, 1909 – February 1, 1988) was a U.S. Congressman
who represented the Maryland's 1st congressional district
from January 3, 1959 to January 3, 1963. He lost re-election after criminal charges were brought against him.
Born in Worcester County, Maryland
, Johnson received his early education from the local schools. He later graduated from Staunton Military Academy of Virginia in 1926, St. John's College
, the University of Virginia
, and the University of Maryland, College Park
. He was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in Snow Hill, Maryland
. In 1932, he was elected chairman of the board of Commercial National Bank of Snow Hill. Johnson specialized in international law
with practice in the Far East
, Middle East
, and continental Europe
.
In 1934, at the age of 24, Johnson was appointed as state's attorney for Maryland, and, at age 28, he was elected to the Maryland State Senate
, where he served from 1939 to 1951. He was the youngest man in state history to serve in those positions up to that point.
In 1958, he was elected as a Democrat
to the Eighty-sixth and Eighty-seventh Congresses, and served from 3 January 1959 until 3 January 1963. In 1962, before re-election, Johnson had charges brought against him regarding the receipt of illegal gratuities in Congress. He was convicted of conspiracy and conflict of interest in 1968, served three and a half months of a six-month sentence in jail, and paid a $5,000 fine. This conviction cost him re-election.
After Congress, Johnson resumed the practice of law and lived in Berlin, Maryland
until his death in Seaford, Delaware
in 1988.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
who represented the Maryland's 1st congressional district
Maryland's 1st congressional district
Maryland's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Maryland. The district encompasses the entire Eastern Shore, including Salisbury, as well as parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties....
from January 3, 1959 to January 3, 1963. He lost re-election after criminal charges were brought against him.
Born in Worcester County, Maryland
Worcester County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*82.0% White*13.6% Black*0.3% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*3.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Johnson received his early education from the local schools. He later graduated from Staunton Military Academy of Virginia in 1926, St. John's College
St. John's College, U.S.
St. John's College is a liberal arts college with two U.S. campuses: one in Annapolis, Maryland and one in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Founded in 1696 as a preparatory school, King William's School, the school received a collegiate charter in 1784, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher...
, the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, and the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. He was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in Snow Hill, Maryland
Snow Hill, Maryland
Snow Hill is a town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,409 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Worcester County.-History:...
. In 1932, he was elected chairman of the board of Commercial National Bank of Snow Hill. Johnson specialized in international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
with practice in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
, Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and continental Europe
Continental Europe
Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands....
.
In 1934, at the age of 24, Johnson was appointed as state's attorney for Maryland, and, at age 28, he was elected to the Maryland State Senate
Maryland State Senate
The Maryland Senate, sometimes referred to as the Maryland State Senate, is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland...
, where he served from 1939 to 1951. He was the youngest man in state history to serve in those positions up to that point.
In 1958, he was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the Eighty-sixth and Eighty-seventh Congresses, and served from 3 January 1959 until 3 January 1963. In 1962, before re-election, Johnson had charges brought against him regarding the receipt of illegal gratuities in Congress. He was convicted of conspiracy and conflict of interest in 1968, served three and a half months of a six-month sentence in jail, and paid a $5,000 fine. This conviction cost him re-election.
After Congress, Johnson resumed the practice of law and lived in Berlin, Maryland
Berlin, Maryland
Berlin is a town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,491 at the 2000 census.-History:The town of Berlin had its start around the 1790s, part of the Burley Plantation, a land grant dating back to 1677...
until his death in Seaford, Delaware
Seaford, Delaware
Seaford is a city located along the Nanticoke River in Sussex County, Delaware. According to the 2010 Census Bureau figures, the population of the city is 6,928, an increase of 3.4% from the 2000 census...
in 1988.