Benton Johnson
Benton Johnson (born 1928) is an American sociologist and professor emeritus of the University of Oregon's Department of Sociology.
Benton Johnson | |
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Born | 1928 (age 91–92) |
Occupation | Sociologist |
Spouse(s) | Miriam M. Johnson |
Children |
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Parent(s) | Guy Benton Johnson Guion Griffis Johnson |
Life
Benton Johnson is the son of Guy Benton Johnson and Guion Griffis Johnson. He was named Guy Benton Johnson, Jr., after his father, but was called "Benny" and continued to use "Benton" in adulthood.[1]
Johnson's father was a sociologist and anthropologist, while his mother was a noted historian.[2] While in college, Johnson met Miriam Massey. They married on July 21, 1951.[3] Miriam also pursued a successful career in sociology, focusing on family issues and gender roles. Together they had two children.[4]
Academic career
Johnson is best known for his work related to the theory and typology of religious movements. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then, in 1954, a doctorate in Sociology from Harvard University.[5] While at Harvard, he was a student of Talcott Parsons.
Prior to joining the Department of Sociology at the University of Oregon, Johnson taught at Guilford College and the University of Texas at Austin. He has chaired both the University of Oregon's Sociology Department and its Department of Religious Studies.
Between 1972 and 1974, Johnson was Editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. He has served as President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (1980–81), the Association for the Sociology of Religion (1987) and the Religious Research Association (1995–96).[6]
Awards
Vanishing Boundaries: the Religion of Protestant Baby Boomers,[7] co-written by Johnson, received the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion's annual book award in 1994.[8]
See also
- List of cult and new religious movement researchers
- List of sociologists
References
- Johnson, Guy (June 2006). "Guy Benton Johnson Papers, 1830–1882, 1901–1987". University of North Carolina, Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- Thomas, Harry. "Guion Griffis Johnson: A Pioneering Scholar". University of North Carolina, University Library. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- "Obituaries", The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon. 24 November 2007.
- Jean, Stockard; Benton Johnson (2007-02-01). "Miriam Johnson 1928–2007". American Sociological Association. 36 (2). Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- U of O (2009). "Sociology". University of Oregon. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- Swatos, William H.; Peter Kivisto. 1998. "Benton (Guy) Johnson", Encyclopedia of Religion and Society. Latham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc./Altamira Press (ISBN 978-0-7619-8956-1), pp. 251–52.
- Hoge, Dean R.; Benton Johnson, Donald A. Luidens. 1994. Vanishing Boundaries: the Religion of Mainline Protestant Baby Boomers. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press (ISBN 978-0-664-25492-6)
- "Annual Awards and Grants". Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.