Robert Johnson (Tennessee)

Robert Johnson
Undated photo (U.S. National Park Service)
Private Secretary to the President
In office
November 14, 1865 – September 19, 1868
PresidentAndrew Johnson
Preceded byWilliam A. Browning
Succeeded byEdmund Cooper
Member of the
Tennessee House of Representatives
In office
1859–1861
Personal details
Born(1834-02-22)February 22, 1834
DiedApril 22, 1869(1869-04-22) (aged 35)
Greeneville, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation
  • Lawyer
  • military officer
  • political staffer
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Robert Johnson (February 22, 1834 – April 22, 1869) was the fourth-born child of Andrew Johnson and Eliza McCardle, a lawyer by profession, one-term Tennessee state legislator, Union Army cavalry officer during the American Civil War, and Secretary to the President of the United States. Johnson suffered from severe and chronic alcohol dependence. Despite having played little to no role in commanding his company during the war, Johnson was breveted brigadier general by his father. He died by overdose of alcohol and laudanum in the family home in Greeneville, Tennessee, six weeks after the end of President Johnson's term in office.