Paul B. Johnson Sr.

Paul Burney Johnson Sr. (March 23, 1880 – December 26, 1943) was an American attorney, judge, and politician, serving as United States Representative from Mississippi, 1919–1923, and as Governor of Mississippi, 1940–1943.

Paul B. Johnson Sr.
46th Governor of Mississippi
In office January 16, 1940 – December 26, 1943
Lieutenant	Dennis Murphree
Preceded by	Hugh L. White
Succeeded by	Dennis Murphree
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 6th district
In office March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1923
Preceded by	Pat Harrison
Succeeded by	T. Webber Wilson
Personal details
Born	Paul Burney Johnson  (1880-03-23)March 23, 1880 Hillsboro, Mississippi
Died	December 26, 1943(1943-12-26) (aged 63) Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Corinne Venable
Profession	Lawyer

Early career

From 1907 to 1908 Johnson served as a judge of the city court of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Two years later he became circuit judge of the 12th judicial district, with his tenure ending in 1919.

Congress

In 1918 Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat, serving from 1919 to 1923. During this period, he developed a friendship with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of Navy and future President of the United States, and his family. Their children played together.[1]

In 1939, Johnson won the race for Governor of Mississippi, but died in office in 1943. His son, Paul B. Johnson Jr., was serving in the Marines in the Pacific during World War II at the time. More than 20 years later, he was elected as governor in 1964. His grandson, Pete Johnson, was elected state Auditor in 1988.

Paul B. Johnson State Park, a state park in Mississippi, is named after him.

References

1. White, Theodore H. (1965), The Making of the President, 1964, New York: Atheneum, p. 218

External links

• Paul Burney Johnson, Sr at Find a Grave
• "Paul B. Johnson, Sr". Notable Names Database. Retrieved September 24, 2008.

Party political offices
Preceded by Hugh L. White	Democratic nominee for Governor of Mississippi 1939	Succeeded by Thomas L. Bailey
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Pat Harrison	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 6th congressional district 1919–1923	Succeeded by T. Webber Wilson
Political offices
Preceded by Hugh L. White	Governor of Mississippi 1940–1943	Succeeded by Dennis Murphree