William Cost Johnson

William Cost Johnson (January 14, 1806 – April 14, 1860) was an American politician.

Johnson was born near Jefferson, Maryland, and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1831 and commenced practice in Jefferson. Johnson served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in 1831 and 1832, and was elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-third Congress, serving from March 4, 1833 to March 3, 1835. He was also a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1836.

Johnson was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-seventh Congresses, serving from March 4, 1837 to March 3, 1843. In Congress, he served as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia (Twenty-sixth Congress), and as a member of the Committee on Public Lands (Twenty-seventh Congress). After Congress, he continued the practice of his profession until his death in Washington, D.C.. He is interred in the Reformed Church Cemetery in Jefferson.

He was known by his friends as Bill Costs and was the founder of the Costing movement.

References

• William Cost Johnson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress