Youth.

William Johnson Jr. was born on 27 December 1771 in Charleston, South Carolina, the second son of William and Sara Johnson. His father was a prosperous blacksmith who took an active role in public affairs and was elected to the legislature. Young William entered the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1787 and was educated in the classics, mathematics, and history. Johnson studied law in Charleston under Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, who had studied in London under Sir William Blackstone. Johnson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1790 and in recognition of his outstanding scholarship was chosen to deliver the Latin Salutatory.

State Leader.

Johnson was elected to the South Carolina Assembly in 1794 and later served as its speaker. He presided over the movement to reform South Carolina's judicial system and successfully advocated improved access to the courts by establishing a series...