James Johnson (bishop of Worcester)

Rt. Rev. James Johnson DD (1705–1774) was an English prelate, successively Bishop of Gloucester (1752–59) and of Worcester (1759–74).

Life

James Johnson was born in Melford, Suffolk, to the Rev. James Johnson and Anne Cuthbert. His grandfather was George Johnson, a Judge and Councilor of Charles II. He was educated at Westminster School in London and became a King's Scholar before matriculating to Christ Church, Oxford. He became Second Master of Westminster School and held the rectory of Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire.

He became a chaplain to George II and canon residentiary of St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1752 he was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester but was quickly embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of Jacobitism. Christopher Fawcett had gossiped to Lord Ravensworth that Bishop Johnson, Andrew Stone and William Murray had drunk to the health of the Pretender in their youth. The allegations were brought all the way to the House of Lords and were subsequently thrown out.

Johnson was translated to the see of Worcester in 1759 and made many alterations to Hartlebury Castle, the residence of the Bishops of Worcestor, out of his own considerable fortune. He was also a patron of Benjamin West, commissioning "The Return of the Prodigal Son". Bishop Johnson died in 1774 from a fall from his horse in Stall Street, Bath. There is a monument to him in Worcester Cathedral.

References

•  "Johnson, James (1705-1774)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.