Andrew Johnson

17th President Andrew Johnson, 1865-186917th President Andrew Johnson, 1865-186917th President Andrew Johnson, 1865-186917th President Andrew Johnson, 1865-1869

17th President Andrew Johnson, 1865-1869

17th President of the United States
(April 15, 1865 to March 3, 1869)

Full Name: Andrew Johnson
Nickname: None listed.

Born: December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North Carolina
Died: July 31, 1875, in Carter's Station, Tennessee

Father: Jacob Johnson (1778-1812)
Mother: Mary McDonough Johnson (1783-1856)
Married: Eliza McCardle (1810-1876), on May 5, 1827
Children: Martha Johnson (1828-1901); Charles Johnson (1830-63); Mary Johnson (1832-83); Robert Johnson (1834-69); Andrew Johnson (1852-79)

Religion: No formal affiliation
Education: No formal education
Occupation: Tailor, public official
Political Party: Democratic
Other Government Positions:

  • Served as Alderman of Greeneville, Tennessee, 1830-33
  • Elected Mayor of Greeneville, Tennessee, 1834
  • Member of Tennessee State Legislature, 1835-43
  • Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1843-53
  • Governor of Tennessee, 1853-57
  • United States Senator, 1857-62
  • Military Governor of Tennessee, 1862-65
  • Vice President, 1865 (under Lincoln)
  • United States Senator, 1875

Presidential Salary: $25,000/year

Presidential Election Results:

Never ran for president.

Vice President: None

Cabinet:

Secretary of State
William H. Seward (1865-69)
Secretary of the Treasury
Hugh McCulloch (1865-69)
Secretary of War
Edwin M. Stanton (1865-68)
John M. Schofield (1868-69)
Attorney General
James Speed (1865-66)
Henry Stanbery (1866-68)
William M. Evarts (1868-69)
Postmaster General
William Dennison (1865-66)
Alexander W. Randall (1866-69)
Secretary of the Navy
Gideon Welles (1865-69)
Secretary of the Interior
John P. Usher (1865)
James Harlan (1865-66)
Orville H. Browning (1866-69)

Supreme Court Justices:
None nominated.

Notable Events:
  • 1865
    • On May 29, through proclamation Johnson granted amnesty to confederate soldiers who take a loyalty oath.
  • 1867
    • Purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Known as "Seward's Folly."
  • 1868
    • On February 21, Johnson fired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in violation of the Tenure of Office Act. Stanton refused and barricaded himself in his cabinet office of two months.
    • Johnson impeached by the House of Representatives on February 24 for violating the Tenure of Office Act. The Senate trial ended on May 26 with an acquittal of all charges.
Internet Biographies:
Andrew Johnson -- from The Presidents of the United States of America
Compiled by the White House.
Andrew Johnson -- from The American President
From the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, in addition to information on the Presidents themselves, they have first lady and cabinet member biographies, listings of presidential staff and advisers, and timelines detailing significant events in the lives of each administration.
Andrew Johnson -- from Encyclopaedia Britannica
Facts about Johnson and his presidency.
Andrew Johnson -- from the North Carolina Encyclopedia
A rich biography on this North Carolina native.
Videos:
Other Internet Resources:
Andrew Johnson National Historical Site
Tourist information on this Greeneville, Tennessee site that includes the visitor center, homestead, and cemetery. Provided by the National Park Service.
The Best Biographies of Andrew Johnson
In 2012, Stephen Floyd started his search for the best biography of each president. He usually has reviews of multiple biographies for each president.
Health and Medical History of Andrew Johnson
Medical background of each president with references. Compiled by John Sotos, MD.
President Andrew Johnson Museum
Located at Tusculum University in Greeneville, TN. Exhibits include artifacts from the Johnson family and Johnson's personal library.
Points of Interest:
Additional Facts:
  • Johnson was the first president impeached by the House of Representatives.
  • Johnson never attended school. He taught himself to read.
  • Johnson was the only former president to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Quotes:

“If you always support the correct principles then you will never get the wrong results!”

“Honest conviction is my courage; the Constitution is my guide.”

“The goal to strive for is a poor government but a rich people.”

Previous President: Abraham Lincoln
Next President: Ulysses S. Grant