FOLLOWING BIOGRAPHY ON BACK
OF PLATE:
J. W. Johnson was born in Jacksonville, Fla., and after
finishing the public schools of his native city he went to Atlanta
University, from which institution he graduated with the degree A.
B. in 1894. The same year he was appointed principal of the Central
Colored Grammar School, which position he now holds. In 1895 he edited
and published the "Daily Ainerican," an afternoon paper.
The publishing of this paper was one of the greatest and most creditable
efrorts in jourmalism ever made by any member of the race. In 1898
he was admitted to the bar, and in 1899 to the Supreme Court of Florida.
In 1901 he was elected President of the Florida State Teachers' Association.
Mr. Johnson,Is a man of varied talents. He has a reputation as a pleasing
speaker and fluent writer. He has devoted much of his time to literature,
and is a contributor to the leading magazines. Mr. Johnson is a poet
of more than ordinary talent and ability, and is widely known as the
writer of the words of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a national
hymn for the Colored people of America. He is also the author of many
songs and ballads, and also of the lyrics of two comic operas.
RELATED NOTES: Brother of composer John Johnson, James
studied literature at Atlanta University (graduated 1894, MA 1904),
and went on to become a song writer, anthologist, teacher, and lawyer;
he was the first African American to pass the bar in the state of
Florida. In 1906 he became the American consul in Puerto Cabello,
Venezuela, and in 1909, consul in Corinto, Nicaragua. In 1920, he
was appointed Executive Secretary of the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People. His works include:
* The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, 1920
* The Book of American Negro Poetry, 1922
* God’s Trombones, 1927
* Along This Way, 1933
