Rev. Dr. Harvey Johnson

Rev. Dr. Harvey Johnson

1843

Fauquier County, Virginia

Reverend, Civil Rights Activist

1923

Johnson was born enslaved in Fauquier County, Virginia to Thomas and Harriet Johnson. He was educated at Wayland Seminary in Washington D.C. and at Virginia Union University.

• Pastored Union Baptist Church for fifty plus years
• Constructed and paid for new building in one year
• Militant advocate for civil rights
• Filed suit against railroad for ejecting him when he refused to accept segregated train accommodations
• Worked for rights of African Americans to take Maryland’s bar exam
• His political activism led to African Americans being elected to City Council and admitted to University of Maryland Law School
• Fought for African American teachers in African American schools
• Active in the Temperance movement
• Participated in the Niagara Movement
• Organized the Mutual Brotherhood of Liberty, forerunner of Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP
• Established Clayton-Williams University in 1911
• Advocated for an educated clergy

Donna T. Hollie, PhD

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