Clifton H. Johnson

Clifton Herman Johnson (1921–2008) was an American historian noted for founding the Amistad Research Center and for his work on documenting African-American history.

Early life and education Johnson was born in Griffin, Georgia, on September 13, 1921. He served in the United States Army in World War II. Subsequently, he enrolled in the University of North Carolina where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1948. He completed a Master of Arts degree at the University of Chicago in 1949 and ultimately a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in American history at the University of North Carolina in 1959. Johnson was an instructor at LeMoyne College while pursuing his PhD.

Johnson served as director of the Amistad Research Center until 1992, at which time he acquired emeritus status, continuing to publish scholarly articles on African-American History. He additionally served as interim director from May 1995 to May 1996 as the Amistad Research Center recruited a new director. Johnson was a consultant for the Steven Spielberg movie Amistad.

In a publication describing the significance of the Amistad Research Center, Johnson stated:

Selected publications Johnson's scholarly articles pertained to abolitionism, African-American history and archives administration. Clifton H. Johnson, "Critics of Yale Slavery Report Wrong", Yale News, January 25, 2002. Clifton H. Johnson, "The Amistad Case and Its Consequences in U.S. History", Journal of the New Haven Colony Historical Society, Spring 1990. Clifton H. Johnson, "The First Afro-American History", The Crisis, October 1970, pp. 296–299. Clifton H. Johnson, Albert J. Raboteau, editors, "God Struck Me Dead: Voices of Ex-Slaves", The Pilgrim Press; Second edition (July 1, 1969).

Personal life Johnson was married to Rosemary Johnson with whom he had sons Charles Johnson and Robert Johnson and daughter Virginia Johnson. He resided in Eastern New Orleans for the majority of his tenure as director of the Amistad Research Center. He died at his home in Eugene, Oregon, on May 21, 2008.