Today in History: Reverdy Johnson
Today in History–May 21–the Library of Congress features attorney and statesman Reverdy Johnson, born on this day in 1796. Although personally opposed to slavery (he emancipated slaves inherited from his father), Johnson represented the slave-owning defendant in the 1857 Dred Scott U.S. Supreme Court case, which decided that slaves could not be citizens. Learn more about this politician by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access related primary sources.
Reverdy Johnson Was Born from America’s Library
Reverdy Johnson books, speeches & correspondence
More Reverdy Johnson correspondence
Reverdy Johnson historical newspaper coverage
Dred Scott historical newspaper coverage 1847-1857
U.S. Reports: Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. (19 How.) 393 (1856)
Report of the decision of the Supreme court of the United States, and the opinions of the judges thereof, in the case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford December term, 1856
The Dred Scott decision: opinion of Chief Justice Taney
Dred Scott v. Sandord: selected primary sources
Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. Supreme Court & the Politics of Slavery streaming webcast