Hallett C. Johnson, also known as Francis Hallett Johnson (November 26, 1888 – August 11, 1968) was an American career diplomat and ambassador to
Costa Rica.
He served in the
United States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is the primary personnel system used by the diplomatic service of the United States federal government, under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of over 13,000 professionals carry ...
for 36 years.
Early life
Johnson was born in
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
.
He was the son of Frances "Fannie" Valda Matthews and
Jeremiah Augustus Johnson (1836 - 1912), a diplomat and lawyer.
[Johnson, Hallett. "About the Author.]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
New York: Vantage Press, 1963. via Hathi Trust. He grew up in
South Orange, New Jersey.
He was a student at
Cutler's School where he joined the
Knickerbocker Greys
The Knickerbocker Greys is a youth cadet corps located in Manhattan. Founded in 1881, it is the oldest after school activity in the United States.
History
The Knickerbocker Greys was founded by Mrs. Augusta Lawler Stacey Curtis, the wife of Dr. E ...
youth cadet corps which became Company K of the 7th Regiment.
[Johnson, Hallett]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 12-13. via Hathi Trust. He also went to the
Hotchkiss School, graduating in 1904. He attended
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It was established as a men's college in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams, a colonist from the Province of Massachusetts Bay who was kill ...
, graduating in 1908.
There, he was a member of the Fraternity of Delta Psi (
St. Anthony Hall) and leader of the mandolin club.
He was a member of the debating team and played on the tennis team.
He was also a member of the Williams College Good Government Club which visited President
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...
at the
White House
The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in ...
.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 42-44. via Hathi Trust.
He attended the
Columbia University School of Law
Columbia Law School (Columbia Law or CLS) is the law school of Columbia University, a private Ivy League university in New York City. Columbia Law is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious law schools in the world and has always ranked i ...
, focusing on international law and graduating in 1912.
While there, he lived in the ''Columbia chapter'' house of St. Anthony Hall for his second and third years.
Career
After law school, Johnson became a lawyer in New York City with Davies, Auerbach, Cornell & Barry.
On May 27, 1912, Johnson took the diplomatic service entrance exam in
Washington, D.C.
On June 18, 1912, the
U.S. Department of State
The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other ...
announce that Johnson was one of the successful candidates.
Great Britain
In August 1912, President
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857March 8, 1930) was the 27th president of the United States (1909–1913) and the tenth chief justice of the United States (1921–1930), the only person to have held both offices. Taft was elected pr ...
appointed Johnson the third secretary at the London embassy.
Johnson said, "When I received a telegram from the State Department assigning me as Third Secretary to the London Embassy, I could not resist accepting it. It was a particularly desirable post and my father knew
Whitelaw Reid
Whitelaw Reid (October 27, 1837 – December 15, 1912) was an American politician and newspaper editor, as well as the author of ''Ohio in the War'', a popular work of history.
After assisting Horace Greeley as editor of the ''New-York Tribu ...
, who was then Ambassador to Great Britain."
At the time, the staff of the London embassy consisted of the first secretary, second secretary, third secretary, military and naval attaché, two clerks, and two messengers—meaning that his position was fairly significant. While in England, Johnson was presented to the
King George V
George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936.
Born during the reign of his grandmother Qu ...
and
Queen Mary, attended various royal affairs, and had an interesting conversation with Prince Albert.
In February 1913, newspapers in the United States, Canada, and England reported that 24-year-old Johnson was left in charge of the London embassy with just six months experience due to the death of first secretary Reid and the resignation of second secretary Cressen.
This was of concern because Johnson would then have been responsible for negotiating treaties with Great Britain, including the six power loan to China and the
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal ( es, Canal de Panamá, link=no) is an artificial waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and divides North and South America. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a condui ...
free tolls.
However, in his journal, Johnson wrote, "I was surprised to read in many English papers the other day the fact that I have been in charge of the Embassy for the last two months—in fact, ever since Mr. Reid's death. This state of things nearly did come to pass, for Mr. Laughlin received a telegram from Knox assuming that Cressen had taken leave, telling him that unless he was confirmed, which seemed very doubtful, he should turn the Embassy over to me on the 4th of March. Laughlin…received confirmation about a week before that date."
Ottoman Empire
In May 1914, he was transferred to the Constantinople embassy for the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
where he was also Third Secretary. He reported in Constantinople on July 4, 1914. This was on the eve of
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
and Turks was contemplating siding with Germany—Johnson noted the number of German soldiers in Turkish uniforms was increasing.
Gradually, the other embassies closed and most Americans left Constantinople, including Johnson's mother and sister.
However, before America entered the war, Johnson was ordered to return to Washington, D.C. in 1915.
Taking advantage of the recall to take some on leave, he attended a party at
Sagamore Hill; there, former President
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...
asked him about Constantinople.
Chili and Bolivia
Next, Johnson was sent to
Santiago, Chile, arriving in August 1915.
He wrote, "When the Ambassador
Henry Fletcher found that I could not speak or type Spanish, in which he was fluent, he gave me 50 pages in Spanish to translate and type. When I came to, several weeks later, I knew something of both."
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous.
' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 45-48. via Hathi Trust. However, Fletcher was replaced with Ambassador
Joseph Shea who not only did not know Spanish, but also had no experience in diplomacy. As a result, Johnson did most of the work.
In Chile, Johnson implemented what became his diplomacy strategy: "I have always found that one can do best if it is possible to make informal friends with the highest local officials."
He befriended Juan, the son of
Juan Louis Sanfuentes, president of Chile.
In the summer of 1917, Johnson was sent to
La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz (), officially known as Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Spanish pronunciation: ), is the seat of government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. With an estimated 816,044 residents as of 2020, La Paz is the third-most populous city in Bol ...
for four months while the minister to Bolivia took leave.
At , La Paz is the highest post in the world for U.S. diplomats and it took a while to acclimate to the altitude.
The saddle horse he brought from Peru died a few days after arriving in response to the thin air.
After his summer in Bolivia, Johnson returned to Chile and resumed his duties.
Washington, D.C.
In February 1918—after six years abroad—Johnson was transferred to Washington D.C. He became the acting chief of the division of Latin American Affairs for the Department of State.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 52. via Hathi Trust. However, with responsibility for so many countries, he frequently worked into the night.
He left this position in May 1920.
Belgium and Sweden
In 1920, he became the first secretary of the embassy in
Brussels, Belgium.
While there, he dined with the Queen of Holland the King and Queen of Spain.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 59. via Hathi Trust. In early 1922, he was transferred to
Stockholm, Sweden where he was the first secretary of the American legation.
Spain
However, he moved on to
Madrid
Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the Largest cities of the Europ ...
, Spain in 1923.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 79-82. via Hathi Trust. Unfortunately, his working relationship with Ambassador
Alexander P. Moore was strained—Johnson said that Moore, who had been married to the late
Lillian Russell
Lillian Russell (born Helen Louise Leonard; December 4, 1860 or 1861 – June 6, 1922), was an American actress and singer. She became one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her beauty ...
, was a name-dropper who "worshipped royalty and entertained them continually."
In addition, Johnson wrote that Moore "was not interested in work," and on top of that was rude to his wife.
the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs also disliked Moore and bypassed the ambassador to negotiate the renewal of the United States commerce agreement and tariffs with Johnson.
Johnson also benefited from the ambassador's frequent trips to Paris or the United States as he received invitations to entertainments and dinners at the Royal Palace.
In the summer, the diplomatic corps left Madrid for
San Sebastián on the sea.
France
In 1924, he became the first secretary of the American embassy in
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...
, France.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 86. via Hathi Trust. Johnson wrote, "The work was fascinating, covering the European situation resulting from the postwar treaties. I received a commendation from Washington for a long summary of all the treaties France had been a party to since the end of World War I.
While in Paris he also had some experiences with American celebrities. After
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh (February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974) was an American aviator, military officer, author, inventor, and activist. On May 20–21, 1927, Lindbergh made the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris, a distance o ...
completed his solo flight across the Atlantic, he frequently dined with Johnson. Johnson was also the bride's witness for the marriage of movie star
Gloria Swanson
Gloria May Josephine Swanson (March 27, 1899April 4, 1983) was an American actress and producer. She first achieved fame acting in dozens of silent films in the 1920s and was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, most f ...
and the Marquis De La Falaise De La Coudray on January 28, 1925.
Norway
In August 1927, he was transferred from Paris, to
Oslo, Norway
Oslo ( , , or ; sma, Oslove) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of i ...
where he was also the first secretary. Johnson said, "My work in Norway was interesting but not exciting. One of my principal reports went into great detail to show that Norwegian socialism was a comparatively healthy national brand and had no relationship or communication with Communist Russia."
Netherlands
In August 1929, he was assigned to serve as the counselor to the legation at
The Hague
The Hague ( ; nl, Den Haag or ) is a city and municipality of the Netherlands, situated on the west coast facing the North Sea. The Hague is the country's administrative centre and its seat of government, and while the official capital o ...
in the
Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
. A counselor ranks next to the ambassador and is the chargé d'affaires in the ambassador's absence.
With its location in the Netherlands, the embassy was a "listening post" for Europe.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 98. via Hathi Trust. Johnson noted that
Queen Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina (; Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria; 31 August 1880 – 28 November 1962) was Queen of the Netherlands from 1890 until her abdication in 1948. She reigned for nearly 58 years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Her reign saw World Wa ...
was serious, formal, and "the only woman I remember who completely scared me."
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 101. via Hathi Trust. Her consort, Prince Henry, was friendly and casual.
Republic of Spain
In December 1933, he was transferred from The Hague, becoming a counselor for the United States embassy in Madrid, Spain.
Since his previous post in Spain, the country had become a republic.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous.
' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 106. via Hathi Trust. This time, the ambassador was
Claude Bowers, a
Jeffersonian Democrat
Jeffersonian democracy, named after its advocate Thomas Jefferson, was one of two dominant political outlooks and movements in the United States from the 1790s to the 1820s. The Jeffersonians were deeply committed to American republicanism, which ...
who supported the Republic even though it was corrupt, and had no use for
General Francisco Franco.
Johnson said, "I wrote the political dispatches until the Franco movement began but since I tried to see the situation objectively, Bowers became dissatisfied with my reporting and took over these dispatches himself. He was impregnated with such a strong bias in favor of the Republicans that there is an inevitable distortion in some of his writings covering the period."
While Johnson was in Spain's summer capital of San Sebastian, the
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebelión, link ...
began.
From July 20 to July 25, 1936, he was trapped at the Continental Palace hotel without any outside communication, along with 25 others consisting of the American embassy staff, the British ambassador, and the German ambassador.
When he could get the word out, Johnson reported that "conditions were horrible" and that the city had no government.
Author
Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber (August 15, 1885 – April 16, 1968) was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her novels include the Pulitzer Prize-winning '' So Big'' (1924), ''Show Boat'' (1926; made into the celebrated 1927 musical), '' Ci ...
reported on the situation in Spain from personal experience, writing that 100 leftist soldiers—formerly civilian farmers, peasants, and factory workers—entered the Continental Palace hotel with sub-machine guns and rifles.
Despite shooting randomly at walls, the soldiers were "polite to foreigners."
A week later, he was still in Spain, helping American refugees leave the country. Ferber noted, "But before Hallett Johnson left San Sebastian, every American was evacuated. He and his staff have done a superb job."
In January 1937, there was heavy bombing in Madrid across the street from the former Johnson residence.
Other bombs fell within 150 yards of the U.S. embassy.
Poland
In 1936, he became the consul general and chargé d'affaires for the embassy in
Warsaw, Poland. Part of his duties involved creating economic reports on how this undeveloped country could be helped.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'' New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 117-118. via Hathi Trust. Johnson noted the vast difference between the poor and the rich.
Sweden
In December 1937, Johnson was recalled from a leave of absence at his home on
Bar Harbor, Maine and was sent to
Stockholm, Sweden.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 119-122. via Hathi Trust. He was assigned as the consul general, counselor of legation, and chargé d'affaires.
Sweden was located between Germany and Russia, and Norway had already been invaded by the Germans.
As a result, Johnson was told to leave his family behind.
In April 1940, he warned Americans to prepare to evacuate Stockholm "in case of certain contingencies." Americans were also urged to keep their papers or passport on hand.
He also cautioned that the embassy had limited funds to assist people and that transportation would be at a premium for those who waited until the last minute to leave.
As his stay in Stockholm continued, goods were not crossing into Sweden, and items such as coffee, sugar, soap, and washing materials were rationed.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 125. via Hathi Trust In addition, the country was under a blackout and there had been no hot water for two months.
On December 10, 1940, Johnson left Stockholm to return to the United States. However, the Germans did not invade Sweden.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 123. via Hathi Trust. Later, Johnson wrote the following which was published in ''
The Saturday Evening Post
''The Saturday Evening Post'' is an American magazine, currently published six times a year. It was issued weekly under this title from 1897 until 1963, then every two weeks until 1969. From the 1920s to the 1960s, it was one of the most widely ...
'' on June 19, 1943'':
''
It seems that the eighty-five-year-old monarch, who still played tennis three times a week, got a telephone call from Hitler. "Your majesty, " said Hitler, "it is time that our two countries should begin to cooperate more closely and, eventually, become a nation."
"Now Herr Hitler," said the King, "I am an old man. Too old to take on the rule of eighty million more people."
On June 23, 1943, the United States War Office sent Johnson a letter asking for a release to reprint and distribute his piece to the foreign press in Europe and Asia.
State Department
Johnson worked in Washington, D.C. from 1941 through 1945.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 127-128. via Hathi Trust. Most of his work involved the War Supply and Resources Division.
He also assisted with negotiations with the Swedish who were selling ball-bearing to the Germans after their factories had been destroyed.
Costa Rica
After the end of WWII, Johnson was given the choice of two positions—returning to
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
or
Costa Rica.
He chose the latter.
On December 13, 1944, he was appointed ambassador to Costa Rica and started his work there on February 14, 1914.
A producer of bananas, coffee, and sugar, Costa Rica was considered strategic because of its location near the
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal ( es, Canal de Panamá, link=no) is an artificial waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and divides North and South America. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a condui ...
.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 129-132. via Hathi Trust. As was his practice, he traveled across Costa Rica to get to know the country; he also became friends with president Don
Teodoro Picado Michalski
Teodoro Picado Michalski (10 January 1900 – 1 June 1960) was the president of Costa Rica from 1944 to 1948.
Overview
Picado governed Costa Rica immediately after the presidency of Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia and preceded the de fact ...
and often went horseback riding with him.
During the riots of the
Vanguardia Popular, Michalski asked Johnson to ride with him in an open car "to reassure the populace of the friendship between Costa Rica and the United States."
Despite the cautions of his staff, Johnson agreed.
Nothing happened on that drive, but on a leisure trip with the president to an extinct volcano, the volcano became active upon their arrival.
When he realized that most Costa Ricans knew little about the United States and therefore, did not always trust his motives, Johnson met with
DeWitt Wallace
William Roy DeWitt Wallace; (November 12, 1889 – March 30, 1981), publishing as DeWitt Wallace, was an American magazine publisher.
Wallace co-founded ''Reader's Digest'' with his wife Lila Bell Wallace, publishing the first issue in 1922.
Li ...
, the publisher of ''
Reader's Digest
''Reader's Digest'' is an American general-interest family magazine, published ten times a year. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, it is now headquartered in midtown Manhattan. The magazine was founded in 1922 by DeWitt Wallace and his wif ...
.'' He got Wallace to donate 3,000 free subscriptions to the Spanish version of the magazine for Costa Ricans.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 133-134. via Hathi Trust. Johnson also studied Spanish so that he could give a speech to the Costa Rican Congress in their language.
The newspaper, ''
La Prensa Libre'' reported that deputy Alvaro Cubillo said, "I was greatly pleased by the democratic gesture of Ambassador Johnson."
While in Costa Rica, Johnson established a Cultural Center with a library of American books, established a
Lincoln School, acquired land from the Costa Rican government to construct a chancery, and negotiated the purchase of to build an embassy residence.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 135-136. via Hathi Trust. He also met monthly with an advisory committee of American businessmen, as well as with heads of United States government agencies, to improve communication and cooperation.
Franklin D. Roosevelt died in April 1946, and tradition was that ambassadors automatically resign3e when the president changes.
However, President
Harry Truman
Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. A leader of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 34th vice president from January to April 1945 under Franklin ...
did not accept Johnson's resignation, so he continued as the ambassador to Costa Rica.
He stayed in this position through May 16, 1947, submitting his resignation for personal reasons on March 25, 1947.
Other work
Johnson continued with the Foreign Service until he retired in 1948.
However, he worked on a project for the
United States Foreign Operations Administration, preparing a paper on the possibility of an economic union for Central American countries.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 159-161. via Hathi Trust. He also undertook a project that involved finding and reporting on confidential agents in Europe.
During this trip, he was able to visit past friends such as Prince Bertil in Sweden and Olaf, now King of Norway.
He also joined the Citizens Committee for Reciprocal World Trade.
Publications
* "Now Herr Hitler." ''
The Saturday Evening Post
''The Saturday Evening Post'' is an American magazine, currently published six times a year. It was issued weekly under this title from 1897 until 1963, then every two weeks until 1969. From the 1920s to the 1960s, it was one of the most widely ...
'' (June 19, 1943)''
''
* "Civil War in Costa Rica: A Former Diplomat Comments on the present not too Serious Conflict." ''
New York Herald Tribune''
* "Service Rivalry." ''New York Times Herald.''
* ''Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous''. New York: Vantage Press, 1963.
Personal life
Johnson married Katherine Elizabeth Steward on May 20, 1920, at Grasslands, her family's home in
Goshen, New York
Goshen is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 13,687 at the 2010 census. The town is named after the Biblical Land of Goshen. It contains a village also called Goshen, which is the county seat of Orange Count ...
.
She was the youngest daughter of Margaret Beckman and Campbell Steward of New York City and Goshen.
Her uncle was
Governor of Rhode Island
The governor of Rhode Island is the head of government of the U.S. state of Rhode Island and serves as commander-in-chief of the state's Army National Guard and Air National Guard. The current governor is Democrat Dan McKee. In their capac ...
Robert Livingston Beeckman
Robert Livingston Beeckman (April 15, 1866 – January 21, 1935) was an American stockbroker, sportsman, and politician who served as the 52nd Governor of Rhode Island.
Early life
Beeckman was born on April 15, 1866 in New York City, New York. ...
.
They had three children: Hallett Johnson Jr., Katherine Johnson, and Priscilla Johnson.
Their oldest daughter, Katherine, was born in Brussels, and daughter Priscilla was born in Stockholm.
Their youngest child, son Hallett Johnson Jr., was born in Paris.
When not abroad, they lived in
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a municipality with a borough form of government in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It was established on January 1, 2013, through the consolidation of the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township, both of whi ...
.
They also had a summer home at
Bar Harbor, Maine called Rosebriar Cottage.
On August 19, 1941, Johnson was one of sixteen prominent Americans who signed a statement urging the support of the 8-point plan proposed by President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (; ; January 30, 1882April 12, 1945), often referred to by his initials FDR, was an American politician and attorney who served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. As the ...
and
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from ...
, prime minister of Great Britain.
The statement said, "We must not again lose the peace and should therefore begin an immediate study of world-wide collective security." Other signers included Rev. Samuel Elliott, director of the Religious Education Association;
William T. Manning,
Episcopal Bishop of New York;
Henry Morgenthau Sr., former ambassador and father of the treasury secretary; and
George Ashton Oldham,
Episcopal Bishop of Albany.
He was an
Episcopalian and member of the
Sons of the American Revolution
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR or NSSAR) is an American congressionally chartered organization, founded in 1889 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. A non-profit corporation, it has described its purpose ...
and the
Society of Colonial Wars.
He was also a member of the
Union Club of the City of New York
The Union Club of the City of New York (commonly known as the Union Club) is a private social club in New York City that was founded in 1836. The clubhouse is located at 101 East 69th Street on the corner of Park Avenue, in a landmark building de ...
, the American Luncheon Club in London, the Chevy Chase Club, and the
Metropolitan Club
The Metropolitan Club of New York is a private social club on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded as a gentlemen's club in 1891 for men only, but it was one of the first major clubs in New York to admit women, t ...
in Washington, D.C.
He was also a governor of the Pot and Kettle Club and the Bar Harbor Club.
[Johnson, Hallett. ]
Diplomatic Memoirs: Serious And Frivolous
'. New York: Vantage Press, 1963. p. 163. via Hathi Trust.
In 1968, Johnson died at the
Massachusetts General Hospital in
Boston
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...
at the ages of 79.
He was buried at
Rosedale Cemetery in
Orange, New Jersey
The City of Orange is a township in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the township's population was 30,134, reflecting a decline of 2,734 (−8.3%) from the 32,868 counted in 2000.
Orange was original ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Hallett
1888 births
1968 deaths
People from New York City
Hotchkiss School alumni
Williams College alumni
St. Anthony Hall
Columbia Law School alumni
20th-century American lawyers
United States Foreign Service personnel
Ambassadors of the United States to Costa Rica
American Episcopalians
People from Bar Harbor, Maine
People from Princeton, New Jersey
People from South Orange, New Jersey