Reverdy Johnson

Reverdy Johnson (May 21, 1796 – February 10, 1876) was an American politician, statesman, and jurist from Annapolis, Maryland. He gained fame as a defense attorney, defending notables such as Sandford of the Dred Scott case, Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter at his courts-martial, and Mary Surratt, alleged conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. A former Whig, he was a strong supporter of the Union war effort. At first he opposed wartime efforts to abolish slavery until 1864, and in 1865 supported the 13th Amendment banning slavery.

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Reverdy Johnson
United States Minister to the United Kingdom
In office September 14, 1868 – May 13, 1869
President	Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	Charles Adams
Succeeded by	John Motley
United States Senator from Maryland
In office March 4, 1863 – July 10, 1868
Preceded by	Anthony Kennedy
Succeeded by	William Whyte
In office March 4, 1845 – March 7, 1849
Preceded by	William Merrick
Succeeded by	David Stewart
21st United States Attorney General
In office March 8, 1849 – July 21, 1850
President	Zachary Taylor Millard Fillmore
Preceded by	Isaac Toucey
Succeeded by	John J. Crittenden
Personal details
Born	(1796-05-21)May 21, 1796 Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Died	February 10, 1876(1876-02-10) (aged 79) Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Resting place	Green Mount Cemetery
Political party	Whig (before 1860) Democratic (1860–1872)
Spouse	Mary Mackall Bowie ​ ​ (m. 1819; died 1871)​
Children	15
Parent	John Johnson (father)
Relatives	John Johnson Jr. (brother)
Education	St. John's College, Maryland (BA)
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Johnson served as United States Minister to the United Kingdom from 1868 to 1869.